How Radiotherapy in Brain and Spine Tumours – Understanding Neuro-Oncology Radiotherapy скачать в хорошем качестве

How Radiotherapy in Brain and Spine Tumours – Understanding Neuro-Oncology Radiotherapy

In this video, Dr Vijay Karan Reddy, HOD & Sr Consultant- Radiation Oncology, Director – Oncology, Arete Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, discusses the critical role of Radiotherapy in the treatment of Brain and Spine Tumours. He explains how Radiation Therapy becomes an integral part of Neuro-oncology treatment. Radiation Therapy is most often given as an adjunct to surgery, and it is very rarely given as the treatment itself. Any tumour that arises in the brain and spinal cord can be treated with External Beam Radiotherapy, where high-energy rays are directed towards the tumour area and try to kill the tumour cells. Techniques of Radiotherapy – Neuro-surgical Radiotherapy Types Several techniques of Radiotherapy can be used in neuro-oncology, where techniques like ➣ Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a very short and precise treatment given within 1 to 3 days ➣ Fractionated SRS, which is given over 3 to 5 days ➣ Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), complex-shaped tumours with less exposure to surrounding tissue. This is used for other types of cancers as well ➣ Image Guided Radiation Therapy IGRT, which combines imaging and radiotherapy to deliver precise and high doses of radiation ➣ Proton Therapy offers reduced radiation exposure to surrounding tissue Radiotherapy Procedure The Radiotherapy procedure for Brain and Spine Tumours is very similar to other tumours. ➣ MRI-guided Radiation Planning - First, an image is taken, which is usually an MRI of the tumour area. The radiotherapy planning is based on this MRI ➣ Brain Tumour Immobilisation Mask - After imaging, an immobilisation mask is used, which ensures that the patient doesn’t move during treatment ➣ Precision Radiation Treatment -Using the different types of Radiotherapy, we try to deliver as precise a treatment as possible without damaging the adjacent structures, which is the most important in the brain. Side Effects of Radiotherapy and Recovery Radiotherapy for tumours is non-invasive, painless, and the patient doesn’t feel as if he is undergoing a treatment, but it does have a few side effects. Common side effects of Radiotherapy ➣ Headache ➣ Weakness ➣ Drowsiness These side effects can be easily managed with medications. There are no expected or common side effects seen log term, especially when specialised techniques and advanced techniques for Radiotherapy. Post - Radiotherapy Monitoring ➣ Serial MRIs - After radiotherapy for brain tumours, meticulous monitoring with serial MRIs is done every 2 to 3 months, to check for treatment effectiveness and tumour recurrence ➣ Neurocognitive speech therapy or physical therapy, depending on the patient and what the patient needs. ➣ A close follow-up with a neuro-oncologist, so that even if recurrence happens, it is caught early.