Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- About the authors
- Preface
- Introduction to the second edition
- Abbreviations
- 1 Basic epidemiology
- 2 Basic pathology of gynaecological cancer
- 3 Preinvasive disease of the lower genital tract
- 4 Radiological assessment
- 5 Surgical principles
- 6 Role of laparoscopic surgery
- 7 Radiotherapy: principles and applications
- 8 Chemotherapy: principles and applications
- 9 Ovarian cancer standards of care
- 10 Endometrial cancer standards of care
- 11 Cervical cancer standards of care
- 12 Vulval cancer standards of care
- 13 Uncommon gynaecological cancers
- 14 Palliative care
- 15 Emergencies and treatment-related complications in gynaecological oncology
- Appendix 1 FIGO staging of gynaecological cancers
- Index
7 - Radiotherapy: principles and applications
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2014
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- About the authors
- Preface
- Introduction to the second edition
- Abbreviations
- 1 Basic epidemiology
- 2 Basic pathology of gynaecological cancer
- 3 Preinvasive disease of the lower genital tract
- 4 Radiological assessment
- 5 Surgical principles
- 6 Role of laparoscopic surgery
- 7 Radiotherapy: principles and applications
- 8 Chemotherapy: principles and applications
- 9 Ovarian cancer standards of care
- 10 Endometrial cancer standards of care
- 11 Cervical cancer standards of care
- 12 Vulval cancer standards of care
- 13 Uncommon gynaecological cancers
- 14 Palliative care
- 15 Emergencies and treatment-related complications in gynaecological oncology
- Appendix 1 FIGO staging of gynaecological cancers
- Index
Summary
Introduction
The therapeutic use of radiation in gynaecological cancer quickly followed the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895 and radium by the Curies in 1898. The aim of radiotherapy is to destroy the cancer if possible without damaging the surrounding normal tissues. The application of a cancericidal dose of radiation to the cancer must be balanced against the inevitable collateral damage caused to local normal organs at risk. Radiotherapy treatment can involve a combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. External radiotherapy (teletherapy) employs the use of a high-energy photon (X-ray) beam generated from a linear accelerator. Brachytherapy (Greek brachy, short) involves the use of sealed radiotherapy sources placed close to the treated tissue. The sources may be placed in the natural cavities of the vagina or uterus (intracavitary treatment) or needles or tubes inserted into the tissues (interstitial brachytherapy). The two modalities of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy can be combined or used individually.
Radiobiology
Radiotherapy uses the damaging effects of ionising radiation on cellular DNA. X-rays and, less commonly, gamma-rays are the commonly used forms of ionising radiation. The 'four Rs' form the basis of radiobiology: repair, repopulation, reoxygenation and redistribution.
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- Gynaecological Oncology for the MRCOG and Beyond , pp. 95 - 102Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011