Modern radiotherapy has adopted a wide range of advanced technological applications with the aim of high accuracy and efficacy of treatment and reduced side effects.
The innovative techniques and advanced systems used are aimed at accurately positioning the patient, optimized radiation administration and minimizing unnecessary radiation of healthy tissues, contributing to increasing requirements for personalized oncological treatment.
In recent years the use of techniques such as or stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS), the stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT – SABR), radiotherapy in deep inhalation (Of them) and the superficially guided radiotherapy (Sgrt), It serves precisely this need: an increased likelihood of healing while ensuring the quality of life of our patients.
Stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) and the stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT – SABR)
They are advanced radiotherapy techniques, in which a very high dose of radiation are administered to small tumors, with absolute precision and a small number of sessions (one to five). The SRS involves brain tumors and central nervous system, while SBRT, tumors in the rest of the body. With the high dose administered, we are able to destroy the tumors, while with their accuracy they ensure the protection of the surrounding healthy tissues.
They could be described as a scalpel -free surgery and in many cases replace the surgical exception. When the patient’s general condition does not allow the surgery, the tumor is not accessible to the surgeon or surgery is considered to be oncologic on the patient or delay other treatments, these two radiotherapeutic techniques give us the solution.
OR stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) finds app to:
- Malignant brain tumors of primary or secondary.
- Benign tumors, such as acoustic neurinoma, meningioma and pituitary adenoma.
- Other conditions, such as arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia and more.
Respectively, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT – SABR) It is applied to: Primary or secondary tumors of the lung, pancreas, liver, adrenal glands, bone metastases to spine bones, in the early stages of prostate cancer and more.
Radiotherapy in deep inhalation (Deep Inspiration Breath Hold – Of them) It is a modern radiotherapy technique that helps us in cases where we want to avoid movement due to breathing. One of its most common uses is in patients with left breast cancer, as through deep inhalation, the heart is removed from the radiation field, thereby resolving the radial burden on the heart muscle. This technique contributes substantially to cardioprotection, while maintaining high accuracy and homogeneity of the therapeutic dose in the breast. The patient just needs to take a deep inhalation and keep it for 20 seconds. Radiotherapy will only be performed during this phase.
Superficially guided radiotherapy (Sgrt)
It is an important innovation in the patient’s placement and positioning control during treatment. It is applied in combination with all modern radiotherapy techniques. Through the continuous 3D visual record of the body’s surface, it is achieved to be highly accurately placed and monitored by the patient in real time, without the use of additional ionizing radiation. This technology is particularly important in treatments that require absolute accuracy or synchronization with breathing, such as stereotactic therapies and Dibh.
Use ultrasound in the process of radiotherapy
My team in the radiotherapeutic oncology and stereotactic radiation surgery section at International Oncology Center, It uses a portable ultrasound device that allows for immediate, non -invasive measurement of bladder size in patients with pelvic tumors before each session. This feature ensures a constant filling of the bladder every day, and consequently, repeatability of the anatomical position of healthy organs and target volume. At the same time, it is applied to patients with prostate cancer, gynecological tumors and other tumors in the area. This practice enhances the accuracy of the treatment and as it is performed by ultrasound, it is in the same climate of minimization of unnecessary use of ionizing radiation.
This practice is applied to many large centers abroad and we are The first team in Greece We applied it to our daily clinical practice.
Inference
Modern radiotherapy has incorporated many high -tech applications, which we have at the International Oncology Center in the Medical Diabcanese of Thessaloniki, in order to achieve the triptych: precision, safety and efficiency. And all this focusing on the patient and the personalization of his treatment.
Writes George EliadesRadiotherapist – oncologist, director of the Department of Radiotherapy Oncology and Stereotactic Radiationurgery, International Oncology Center
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