Transforming cancer care in Africa
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that uses ionizing radiation (high doses of radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be used to treat many types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, lung, brain, and more. Radiation therapy can also help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with advanced cancer.
Radiation therapy can also help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with advanced cancer.
Types of Radiation Therapy
There are two main types of radiation therapy:
External beam radiation therapy
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a standard cancer treatment and the most common form of radiation therapy. It uses a machine to send energy beams that destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Internal radiation therapy
is a treatment in which a source of radiation is put inside your body. The radiation source can be solid (brachytherapy) or liquid (systemic therapy).
Benefits of Radiation Therapy
Radiotherapy can be used to:
Cure the cancer completely (curative radiotherapy)
Minimize the chances of cancer reoccurence after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy)
Enhance the effectiveness of other treatments – for example, it can be combined with chemotherapy or used before surgery (neo-adjuvant radiotherapy).
Reduce symptoms if a cure is not possible (palliative radiotherapy).
Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells nearby. Damage to healthy cells can have unintended consequences. It’s critical to note that everyone reacts differently to treatment. Any side effects you have may depend on the type and location of cancer, the dose of radiation administered, and your overall health. Some people experience few or no adverse effects, while others experience several.
The common side effects include:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Difficulty in swallowing
Loss of appetite and taste changes
Nausea/Vomiting.
Skin and scalp changes.
Trouble with memory and speech
Soreness (or even open sores) in the mouth or throat
Cough/Dry mouth
Jaw stiffness/ Swelling in the gums, throat, or neck
Chest pain/Shortness of breath
Bladder change and fertility changes
If you experience bothersome side effects that interfere with your daily activities or health, your doctor may temporarily discontinue your treatments, adjust the timing, or change the type of treatment you receive.
At NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (NLCC), we offer advanced radiation therapy using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT). We have the best-equipped radiation therapy centre in Nigeria, with three state-of-the-art linear accelerators that deliver precise and effective radiation therapy.
Why Choose NLCC for Radiation Therapy?
The first functional Varian Halcyon linear accelerator in Nigeria.
NLCC has two Varian VitalBeam linear accelerators, which can perform advanced radiotherapy techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). These techniques allow the radiation to conform to the shape of the tumour, sparing healthy tissues and organs from unnecessary exposure. VMAT and IMRT can also deliver higher doses of radiation in fewer sessions, reducing the treatment time and improving the outcomes.
NLCC has a dedicated pediatric radiation oncology program to treat children with cancer, using special equipment and techniques to minimize the risk of long-term side effects. Our pediatric radiation oncologists work closely with other pediatric specialists to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for our young patients.