“At the time of diagnosis, there are patients with lesions in different areas. Here we will explain how to treat them. Technology has evolved so much that today we can provide localized treatments in order to completely eradicate these lesions, increasing life expectancy in metastatic cancer patients”, says Dr. Milagros Rodríguez, radiation oncologist at our clinic

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is a treatment based on X-rays. These, used in machines called linear accelerators, allow the emission of particles capable of eliminating the DNA of malignant cells and, consequently, destroying them.

Currently we can perform treatments called Radiosurgery. What do these treatments consist of?

• Far from being invasive, these treatments allow eliminating more malignant cells in just a few sessions (1-5). This is achieved with good immobilization, optimal tomographic imaging before each treatment, and good control and monitoring of patients.
• To avoid involuntary movement of the patient during radiation sessions, special immobilizers are made, for example, the Bodyfix, which we have in our clinic. This is made by customizing a mat that adopts the anatomical shape of the patient.
• These therapies are very useful in patients who cannot be operated on due to comorbidities, for example, in cases of cancer of the lung, liver, pancreas, prostate and patients with metastases.

The data to consider:

• The most frequent cancer in Peru in 2020 was prostate cancer, followed by breast cancer, tumors that respond very well to radiosurgery. In addition, lung cancer, one of the most aggressive tumors that is usually detected when it has already affected other organs, can also be treated with radiosurgery and safe and effective cancer therapy.

Remember, the choice of each treatment must be given prior evaluation and the respective professional accompaniment in each oncological process.

Dr. Milagros Rodríguez
Radiation oncologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma