Radiotherapy in bangalore​

Targeted Radiotherapy is a major shift in cancer treatment. It is more effective and accurate than traditional treatment options. It targets cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy cells of the body. This article aims to decipher targeted radiotherapy and explain how trustworthy hospitals like Gleneagles Hospital can help you get your targeted radiotherapy in Bangalore done seamlessly using the latest technologies and under the guidance of expert healthcare providers.

To date, cancer is one of the health problems that has caused the most number of deaths. Cancer treatment options have evolved over the years. However, it is important to note that the treatment approach that has been used for years is not that accurate. It is because sometimes traditional cancer therapies destroy healthy cells that are growing at a fast pace, considering them as cancer cells. Targeted therapy, on the other hand, proves to be advantageous here as it affects the cancer-causing tumour, and the other healthy cells of the body remain unaffected. This makes it a preferred choice of most oncologists these days.

Targeted Radiotherapy is also known as precision radiotherapy. In this type of therapy, a high-energy radio beam is sent precisely to the tumour while protecting the neighbouring cells. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, in which both cancerous and healthy cells are destroyed, targeted radiotherapy only damages the cancerous cells by targeting concentrated radiation beams exactly to the tumour, further increasing the effectiveness of the procedure and reducing any consequent health issues after the therapy.

Firstly, the tumour cells are precisely located using medical imaging techniques such as MRI, CT Scan, and PET scan. Once your healthcare provider has identified the exact location and position of the cancer tumour, specialised equipment and treatment instruments will be used to send the radiation beam directly to the tumour. This technique maximises the effect of the radiation while minimising the exposure to the surrounding tissues. Targeted therapy works in two main ways.

1. External Beam Radiation Therapy- involves directing a beam directly externally toward the cancer cells with the help of a linear accelerator.
    
2. Internal Radiation Therapy- In this, a radioactive source is placed inside the body near the stone for the beam right in place.

There are several types of targeted radiotherapy in Bangalore. Let us discuss them one by one to get a detailed view.

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: This is the most commonly used external radiation therapy. Medical Imaging techniques are used to make a 3D image of your body on the computer screen. The clear 3D image of the body helps in specifically targeting the tumour with several radiation beams with more accuracy.
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: In this type of radiation therapy, the radiation is divided into fractions. The entire procedure takes a few weeks, with one day counted as one fraction. High-intensity radiation sessions are taken each day.
• Proton Beam Therapy: Proton therapy is a more advanced version of radiation therapy. Currently, not a lot of radiation clinics provide you with a proton beam therapy facility. In this type of therapy, proton beams are used instead of X-rays, further lowering the risk factors.
• Radioisotope Therapy: It involves using radioactive substances to treat cancer cells. The radioactive substances are sent to the tumour location, which then binds with them and is then destroyed. This type of therapy is mainly used to treat prostate and thyroid cancer.

Targeted radiotherapy has a lot of benefits over traditional cancer therapy methods. Some of the key benefits of getting targeted radiotherapy in Bangalore done include the following: 

• Higher Precision- Targeted radiotherapy destroys the cancer cells by pinpointing them, reducing the chances of causing damage to the healthy ones. Only cancerous cells are destroyed.
• Increased Success Rates- As no healthy cells are damaged, the success rates of targeted radiotherapy are higher.
• Fewer Side Effects- Less harm to the healthy tissues leads to fewer or no post-operative health complications.
• Faster Recovery- As the procedure is highly precise, the recovery rate is also faster than other treatment options.
• Broader Use case- Targeted Radiotherapy can be used to treat a variety of health conditions and can be used in combination with other treatment options like immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Targeted Radiotherapy can be used for treating a large range of medical conditions. It majorly benefits cancer patients by precisely affecting only the unhealthy cells. It has revolutionised the oncology industry by providing highly accurate and successful cancer treatment therapy. Some of the common types of cancer it can treat include Brain tumours, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. At Gleneagles Hospital for targeted radiotherapy in Bangalore, you get access to a wide range of cancer treatment options under one roof.

Targeted Radiotherapy is usually safer than conventional cancer treatment methods. The risk factors are minor and can be managed with proper care and medication. Some of the potential health risks of targeted radiotherapy include:

• Skin Reactions: Your skin is not used to the high-frequency radiation that is administered in targeted radiotherapy. There is, therefore, a chance of redness, swelling, or blisters in the region where the therapy was given. After some time, the skin might become dry and flaky. This condition is often regarded as Radiation Dermatitis and fades off gradually.
• Hair Loss: Hair loss is common when a person is going through cancer treatment and radiation therapy. The radiation makes the hair thinner or causes extreme hair fall. The scalp becomes very weak. Covering the head is important to protect it from sun damage.
• Exhaustion: Radiation therapy often makes people feel tired and experience fatigue. This happens because the healthy cells are being destroyed during therapy. Frequent visits to get your therapies done can further contribute to increasing exhaustion.
• Inflammation: Patients with targeted radiotherapy can experience swelling and inflammation on the treatment site and other parts of the body.

The journey of recovery from targeted therapy is different for all. It depends on the individual’s healing capacity and the type and severity of the cancer being treated. Following a recovery care routine will help you have a speedy and safe recovery. Some things to include in our aftercare routine are:

• Taking a healthy diet.
• Doing regular exercise.
• Going for regular follow-up checkups with your healthcare provider.
• Giving adequate rest to the body.
• Focusing on your mental and emotional well-being.

The right oncology hospital can make your cancer treatment journey tenfold better. For a life-threatening condition like cancer, you cannot take any risks. Choosing Gleneagles Hospital, one of the leading Radiotherapy hospitals in Bangalore, not only increases your chances of having a successful therapy but, at the same time, makes the entire treatment procedure much smoother. Some of the benefits of having a targeted therapy at Gleneagles Hospital include:

• High-end radiation technology with true beam STx machines.
• A multi-disciplinary treatment approach.
• Cutting-edge medical imaging tools.
• Team of highly skilled, proficient, and expert oncologists.

With the most advanced medical tools, Gleneagles Hospital provides a world-class facility for targeted radiotherapy in Bangalore. Among the treatment tools, Gleneagles Hospital for Radiotherapy in Bangalore also has a 24-channel BAT therapy machine for providing internal radiotherapy.