Introduction to
Radiation Oncology
Editors:
Abigail T. Berman, MD, University of Pennsylvania
Jordan Kharofa, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
What Every Medical Student Needs to Know
Objectives
 Introduction to Oncology
 Epidemiology
 Overview
 Mechanism of Action
 Production of Radiation
 Delivery of Radiation
 Definitive vs Palliative Therapy
 Dose and Fractionation
 Process of Radiation
 MCW Radiation Oncology Department
Medical Student Goals
 Introduction to oncology basics
 Learn basics of radiation oncology
 AttendTumor Board and conferences
 Have Fun!
Cancer Epidemiology 5
 Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells
 If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death
 Approximately 1,660,290 new cancer cases are expected
to be diagnosed in 2013
Introduction to Radiation 1
 Radiation oncology is the medical use of ionizing
radiation (IR) as part of cancer treatment to control
malignant cells.
 IR damages DNA of cells either directly or indirectly,
through the formation of free radicals and reactive
oxygen species.
Mechanism of IR 4
Double-Stranded Break Single-Stranded Break
RT-Induced Cell Death4
 Mitotic cell death
 Double and single-stranded breaks in a cell's DNA prevent that
cell from dividing.
 Direct cell killing through apoptosis
Normal Cells vs Cancer Cells4
 Cancer cells are usually undifferentiated and have a
decreased ability to repair damage
 Healthy (normal) cells are differentiated and have the ability
to repair themselves (cell cycle check points)
 G0G1SG2M
 DNA damage in cancer cells is inherited through cell
division
 accumulating damage to malignant cells causes them to die
Production of Radiation1
 IR is produced by electron, photon, proton, neutron or
ion beams
 Beams are produced by linear accelerators (LINAC)
Three Main Types of External Beam
 Photons
 X-rays from a linear
accelerator
 Light Charged Particles
 Electrons
 Heavy Charged
Particles
 Protons
 Carbon ions
Timeline
Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning
Quality
Assurance
Set-up
Delivery of
RT
Follow up
visits and
scans
Weekly On-
Treatment
Visits
1-2
Weeks
What is a simulation?
• Custom planning appointment placing
patient in reproducible position
Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning
Quality
Assurance
Set-up Delivery of RT
Follow up
visits and
scans
Weekly On-
Treatment
Visits
Contouring: Advances in Simulation Imaging
Really Help!
PET/CT simulation
Now you can see what part
is most likely active tumor
 Target structures
 Organs at risk (OARs) aka
normal tissues
Curran IJROBP 2011
Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning
Quality
Assurance
Set-up Delivery of RT
Follow up
visits and
scans
Weekly On-
Treatment
Visits
Curran et al.
Linear Accelerator (LINAC) 1
 Delivers a uniform dose of high-energy X-rays to the tumor.
 X-rays can kill the malignant cells while sparing the
surrounding normal tissue.
 Treat all body sites with cancer
 LINAC accelerates electrons, which collide with a heavy metal
target high-energy X-rays are produced.
 High energy X-rays directed to tumor
 X-rays are shaped as they exit the machine to conform to the shape of
the patient’s and the tumor.
LINAC1
 Conformal treatment
 Blocks placed in the head of the machine
 Multileaf collimator that is incorporated into the head of the machine.
 The beam comes out of the gantry, which rotates around the patient.
 Pt lies on a moveable treatment table and lasers are used to
make sure the patient is in the proper position.
 RT can be delivered to the tumor from any angle by rotating
the gantry and moving the treatment couch.
http://www.varian.com/media/oncology/products/clinac/images/clinac_2100c.jpg
http://www.varian.com/media/oncology/products/clinac/images/Stanford270_crop_Web.jpg
Delivery of Radiation1,4
 External beam RT (outside body)
 Conventional 3D-RT (using CT based treatment planning)
 Stereotactic radiosurgery
 Ffocused RT beams targeting a well-defined tumor using extremely
detailed imaging scans.
 Cyberknife
 Gamma Knife
 Novalis
 Synergy
 TomoTherapy
Gamma Knife6
 Device used to treat brain tumors and other conditions with a
high dose of RT in 1 fraction.
 Tumors or tumor cavities ≤ 4 cm
 Contains 201 Co-60 sources arranged in a circular array in a
heavily shielded device.
 This aims gamma RT through a target point in the pt’s brain.
 Halo surgically fixed to skull for immobilization
 MRI done  used for planning purposes.
 Ablative dose of RT is then sent through the tumor in 1
fraction
 Surrounding brain tissues are relatively spared.
 Total time can take up to 45 minutes
http://local.ans.org/virginia/meetings/2004/GammaKnifePatientSmall.jpeg
Gamma Knife
 Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)
 High-precision RT that improves the ability to conform the
treatment volume to concave tumor shapes
 Image-Guided RT (IGRT)
 Repeated imaging scans (CT, MRI or PET) are performed
daily while pt is on treatment table.
 Allows to identify changes in a tumor’s size and/or location
and allows the position of the patient or dose to be adjusted
during treatment as needed.
 Can increase the accuracy of radiation treatment (reduction
in the planned volume of tissue to be treated) decrease
radiation to normal tissue
 Tomotherapy
 Form of image-guided IMRT
 Combination of CT imaging scanner and an external-beam radiation
therapy machine.
 Can rotate completely around the patient in the same manner as a
normal CT scanner.
 Obtain CT images of the tumor before treatment
precise tumor targeting and sparing of normal tissue.
Tomotherapy
http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/RadiationOncology/images/Tomo.jpg
Proton Therapy
 Protons are positively charged particles located in the
nucleus of a cell.
 Deposit energy in tissue differently than photons
 Photons: Deposit energy in small packets all along their path
through tissue
 Protons deposit much of its energy at the end of their path
 Bragg peak (see next slide)
http://images.iop.org/objects/phw/world/16/8/9/pwhad2_08-03.jpg
Bragg Peak
http://web2.lns.infn.it/CATANA/images/News/toppag1.jpg
Brachytherapy
 Sealed radioactive sources placed in area of treatment
 Low dose (LDR) vs High Dose (HDR)
 LDR: Continuous low-dose radiation from the source over a period
of days
 Ex) Radioactive seeds in prostate cancer
 HDR: Robotic machine attached to delivery tubes placed
inside the body guides radioactive sources into or near a
tumor.
 Sources removed at the end of each treatment session.
 HDR can be given in one or more treatment sessions.
 Ex. Intracavitary implants for gynecologic cancer
 Temporary vs. Permanent Implants
 Permanent: Sources are surgically sealed within the body and
remain there after radiation delivered
 Example: Prostate seed implants (see next slide)
http://roclv.com/img/treatments/brachytherapy-245.jpg
Prostate Seed Implants
 Temporary: Catheters or other “carriers” deliver the RT
sources (see next slide)
 Catheters and RT sources removed after treatment.
 Can be either LDR or HDR
http://kogkreative.com/009_BreastBrachy.JPG
Breast multi-catheter placement
Uses of RT2
 Definitive Treatment
 Aid in killing both gross and microscopic disease
 Palliative Treatment
 Relieve pain or improve function or in pts with widespread
disease or other functional deficits
 Cranial nerve palsies
 Gynecologic bleeding
 Airway obstruction.
 Primary mode of therapy
 Combine radiotherapy with surgery, chemotherapy
and/or hormone therapy.
Dose3
 Amount of RT measured in gray (Gy)
 Varies depending on the type and stage of cancer being
treated.
 Ex. Breast cancer: 50-60 Gy (definitive)
 Ex. SC compression: 30 Gy (palliative)
 Dose Depends on site of disease and if other
modalities of treatment are being used in conjunction
with RT
 Delivery of particular dose is determined during
treatment planning
Fractionation3
 Total dose is spread out over course of days-weeks
(fractionation)
 Allows normal cells time to recover, while tumor cells are
generally less efficient in repair between fractions
 Allows tumor cells that were in radio-resistant phase of the
cell cycle during one treatment to cycle into a sensitive
phase of the cycle before the next tx is given.
 RT given M-F/ 5 days per week.
 For adults usually administer 1.8 to 2 Gy/day, depending on
tumor type
 In some cases, can give 2 tx (2 fractions) per day
Radiosensitivity3
 Different cancers respond differently to RT
 Highly radiosensitive cancer cells are rapidly killed by
modest doses of RT
 Lymphomas (30-36 Gy)
 Seminomas (25-30 Gy)
 More radio-resistant tumors require higher doses of
RT
 H&N CA (70 Gy/35 fx)
 Prostate CA (70-74 Gy)
 GBM (60 Gy/30 fx)
Process of RT
 74 y/o pt with CC of prostate cancer
 T1c, PSA 10, GS 7 (intermediate risk prostate cancer)
 Pt opts for RT
 CT simulation CT scan to identify the tumor and
surrounding normal structures.
 Placed in molds/vac fixes that immobilize pt, skin marks
placed, so position can be recreated during treatment
Process of RT
 CT scan loaded onto computers with planning software
 Prostate (gross tumor volume-GTV) and adjacent
structures are drawn (contoured) on planning software
http://www.phoenix5.org/Infolink/Michalski/image/fig6_contours.JPG
Process of RT Planning
 Margins are placed around gross tumor volume to encompass
microscopic disease spread (clinical tumor volume-CTV)
 Margins are placed around CTV
 This is the planning tumor volume
 Want highest doses to GTV, CTV and PTV
 Relatively lower doses to bladder, rectum, small bowel, femoral heads, etc
 Fields placed
 Dose-volume histogram reviewed
 Graphically summarizes the simulated radiation distribution within a
volume of interest of a patient which would result from a proposed
radiation treatment plan.
http://www.phoenix5.org/Infolink/Michalski/image/fig6_contours.JPG
http://www.phoenix5.org/Infolink/Michalski/image/fig6_contours.JPG
Process of RT Planning
 Pt returns to RT department to initiate RT approx 7-14
days later
 Undergo a “dry-run”
 After dry-run, pt starts treatment
http://www.insidestory.iop.org/images/linear_accelerator.jpg
Side-Effects3
 Acute vs Long term side-effects
 Side effects usually localized
 Ex.Acute side effects of prostate cancer
 Diarrhea
 Increased frequency of urination
 Dysuria
 Skin erythema
 LT side-effects
 Decreased sexual functioning
 Approx 1% risk of injury to bowel or bladder
 Systemic side effects
 Fatigue
Intraparenchymal Brain Metastasis
 Clinical Incidence
 Lung 30-40%
 Breast 15-25%
 Melanoma 12-20%
 Unknown primary 3-8%
 Colorectal 3-7%
 Renal 2-6%
NCCN
 Symptoms
• Headache 50%
• Focal weakness 30%
• Mental disturbance 30%
• Gait disturbance 20%
• Seizures 18%
 Signs
• Altered mental status
60%
• Hemiparesis 60%
• Hemisensory loss 20%
• Papilledema 20%
• Gait ataxia 20%
• Aphasia 18%
Management of Brain Metastases
 Steroids
 Anticonvulsants
 Used to manage seizures in patients with brain tumors
 A significant fraction [40-50%] of such patients do not
require AEDs
 Associated with inherent morbidity
 Monotherapy preferable
 May complicate administration of chemotherapy [p450
inducers]
 Surgery
 Radiation therapy
 Whole brain radiation
 Stereotactic radiosurgery
Whole brain radiation
Adverse events:
• Short term:
• fatigue, hair loss,
erythema
• Long term:
• decreased
neurocognitive effects
(short term memory,
altered executive function)
• somnolence
• leukoencephalopathy
• brain atrophy
• normal pressure
hydrocephalus
• cataracts
• RT necrosis
Spinal Cord Compression
 Back pain
 Radicular symptoms
 Neurologic signs and symptoms
 Often neurologic signs and
symptoms are permanent
 Ambulation and bowel/bladder
function at the time of starting
therapy correlates highly with
ultimate functional outcome
 Plain films
 60-80% of patients with epidural disease/spinal
cord compression have abnormal plain films
 MRI
 Order with gad
 Will show intramedullary lesions
 Need to obtain a full screening MRI of the spine
 Myelogram/Metrizamide C
Spinal Cord Compression - Treatment
 Steroids are recommended for any patient with neurologic
deficits suspected or confirmed to have CC. 10 mg IV/po
and then 4-6 mg po q6 hrs
 Surgery should be considered for patients
with a good prognosis who are medically and
surgically operable
 Radiotherapy after surgery
 RT should be given to nonsurgical patients
 Therapies should be initiated prior to
neurological deficits when possible
Loblaw DA et al IJROBP March 2012
References
1. Gunderson, et. al. Clinical Radiation Oncology. 2nd edition.
“Radiation Oncology Physics.”
2. Hansen, E; Roach, M. Handbook of Evidenced-based
Radiation Oncology. 2007
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_therapy
3. http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/erhs/XRT/Frames/OVERVIE
W/OVERVIEW.TherapeuticModalities.htm
4. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/radia
tion
5. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/document
s/document/acspc-024113.pdf
6. Gunderson, et.al. Clinical Radiation Oncology. 2nd edition.
“Central Nervous SystemTumors.”

More Related Content

PPTX
Ct scan
PPTX
Locoregional therapy for HCC
PPT
Radiotherapy
PPT
RAPIDO TRIAL RECTUM
PPTX
Pancreas Cancer
PPTX
QC Gamma Camera
PDF
Oncological Emergencies- Oncology Nursing
PDF
QUALITY-ASSURANCE---MAMMOGRAPHY.pdf
Ct scan
Locoregional therapy for HCC
Radiotherapy
RAPIDO TRIAL RECTUM
Pancreas Cancer
QC Gamma Camera
Oncological Emergencies- Oncology Nursing
QUALITY-ASSURANCE---MAMMOGRAPHY.pdf

What's hot (20)

PPTX
Hyperthermia in radiotherapy
PPTX
Clinical Radiotherapy Planning basics for beginners
PPTX
Clinical response to normal tissue with radiation
PPTX
Brachytherapy dosimetry systems .R
PDF
Image guided adaptive radiotherapy
PPTX
Prophylactic cranial irradiation
PPTX
Hemi body irradiation
PPTX
Srs and sbrt 2 dr.kiran
PPTX
PPTX
Quantec dr. upasna saxena (2)
PDF
SRS & SBRT - Unflattened Beam
PPTX
Immobilization techniques in SRS and SBRT
PPTX
Role of radiation in benign conditions
PPTX
Multileaf Collimator
PPTX
Time, dose and fractionation
PPTX
TIME DOSE & FRACTIONATION
PPTX
Radiotherapy in benign disease.
PPT
Brachytherapy Final
PPTX
Role of immobilisation and devices in radiotherapy
Hyperthermia in radiotherapy
Clinical Radiotherapy Planning basics for beginners
Clinical response to normal tissue with radiation
Brachytherapy dosimetry systems .R
Image guided adaptive radiotherapy
Prophylactic cranial irradiation
Hemi body irradiation
Srs and sbrt 2 dr.kiran
Quantec dr. upasna saxena (2)
SRS & SBRT - Unflattened Beam
Immobilization techniques in SRS and SBRT
Role of radiation in benign conditions
Multileaf Collimator
Time, dose and fractionation
TIME DOSE & FRACTIONATION
Radiotherapy in benign disease.
Brachytherapy Final
Role of immobilisation and devices in radiotherapy

Similar to Raditherapy4idiots (20)

PPTX
R osborn rad-onc-101.2013
ODP
IMRT and 3D CRT in cervical Cancers
PPTX
BASICS OF RADIATION THERAPY/RADIATION ONCOLOGY
PPTX
Radiation therapy in gynecologic cancer 17-03-15
PPTX
Recent advances in radiation oncology final (1)
DOC
Radiation Therapy 1 & 2
PPTX
Sacral chordoma
PPT
10 may sbrt
PPTX
Role of radiotherapy in oral ca ppt for csm
PPT
Radical Prostate Radiotherapy
PPT
Radiation Therapy of cancer patients _2013.ppt
PPT
Dr.Shizan Pervez Radiation Therapy_2019.ppt
PPT
Radiation Therapy_2013.ppt
PDF
BIPH6106 radiation therapy oncology UWI STA
PPTX
The main methods of radiotherapy
PPTX
Essentials of radiation therapy and cancer immunotherapy by Dr. Basil Tumaini
PPTX
Radiotherapy ppt. Types of radiation and chronic
PPTX
Motion in Hadron therapy (radiotherapy)
PPT
Radiation Therapy.pcccccccccccccccccccpt
PPTX
2 d vs 3d planning in pelvic malignancies
R osborn rad-onc-101.2013
IMRT and 3D CRT in cervical Cancers
BASICS OF RADIATION THERAPY/RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Radiation therapy in gynecologic cancer 17-03-15
Recent advances in radiation oncology final (1)
Radiation Therapy 1 & 2
Sacral chordoma
10 may sbrt
Role of radiotherapy in oral ca ppt for csm
Radical Prostate Radiotherapy
Radiation Therapy of cancer patients _2013.ppt
Dr.Shizan Pervez Radiation Therapy_2019.ppt
Radiation Therapy_2013.ppt
BIPH6106 radiation therapy oncology UWI STA
The main methods of radiotherapy
Essentials of radiation therapy and cancer immunotherapy by Dr. Basil Tumaini
Radiotherapy ppt. Types of radiation and chronic
Motion in Hadron therapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation Therapy.pcccccccccccccccccccpt
2 d vs 3d planning in pelvic malignancies

More from NHS (20)

PDF
lrinec
 
PDF
Master Paper
 
DOCX
FRCS REFRESHER WEEKEND COURSE APRIL 2018
 
PDF
BRCA Bible
 
PDF
NCCN staging
 
DOCX
Final FRCS Revision plan
 
PDF
Icdpacemaker radiotherapy
 
PDF
Rx of mammaoccult cancer
 
PDF
ER/PR discrepancy
 
PDF
NHSBSP Quality Assurance
 
PDF
YOGA BASICS
 
PDF
breast anatomy and physiology
 
PDF
pacemaker and surgery
 
PDF
Appendicitis score
 
PDF
Alvarado Syst Rv
 
PDF
BEST BREAST PRACTICE ABS
 
PDF
best practice NMBRA GIST
 
PDF
Varicocele a-review
 
PPT
SUPREMO TRIAL
 
PDF
epsom salt benefits
 
lrinec
 
Master Paper
 
FRCS REFRESHER WEEKEND COURSE APRIL 2018
 
BRCA Bible
 
NCCN staging
 
Final FRCS Revision plan
 
Icdpacemaker radiotherapy
 
Rx of mammaoccult cancer
 
ER/PR discrepancy
 
NHSBSP Quality Assurance
 
YOGA BASICS
 
breast anatomy and physiology
 
pacemaker and surgery
 
Appendicitis score
 
Alvarado Syst Rv
 
BEST BREAST PRACTICE ABS
 
best practice NMBRA GIST
 
Varicocele a-review
 
SUPREMO TRIAL
 
epsom salt benefits
 

Recently uploaded (20)

PPTX
NRP and care of Newborn.pptx- APPT presentation about neonatal resuscitation ...
PPTX
NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-Copy.pptxbabaabahahahaahha
PPTX
Hearthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
PPTX
IMAGING EQUIPMENiiiiìiiiiiTpptxeiuueueur
PDF
SEMEN PREPARATION TECHNIGUES FOR INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION.pdf
PDF
focused on the development and application of glycoHILIC, pepHILIC, and comm...
PDF
Comparison of Swim-Up and Microfluidic Sperm Sorting.pdf
PPTX
Neoplasia III.pptxjhghgjhfj fjfhgfgdfdfsrbvhv
PPTX
thio and propofol mechanism and uses.pptx
DOCX
PEADIATRICS NOTES.docx lecture notes for medical students
PPTX
Vaccines and immunization including cold chain , Open vial policy.pptx
PDF
The Digestive System Science Educational Presentation in Dark Orange, Blue, a...
PDF
OSCE SERIES ( Questions & Answers ) - Set 5.pdf
PDF
Copy of OB - Exam #2 Study Guide. pdf
PPTX
Effects of lipid metabolism 22 asfelagi.pptx
PPTX
Neonate anatomy and physiology presentation
PPTX
CARDIOVASCULAR AND RENAL DRUGS.pptx for health study
PPTX
Electrolyte Disturbance in Paediatric - Nitthi.pptx
PPT
Rheumatology Member of Royal College of Physicians.ppt
PDF
AGE(Acute Gastroenteritis)pdf. Specific.
NRP and care of Newborn.pptx- APPT presentation about neonatal resuscitation ...
NUCLEAR-MEDICINE-Copy.pptxbabaabahahahaahha
Hearthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
IMAGING EQUIPMENiiiiìiiiiiTpptxeiuueueur
SEMEN PREPARATION TECHNIGUES FOR INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION.pdf
focused on the development and application of glycoHILIC, pepHILIC, and comm...
Comparison of Swim-Up and Microfluidic Sperm Sorting.pdf
Neoplasia III.pptxjhghgjhfj fjfhgfgdfdfsrbvhv
thio and propofol mechanism and uses.pptx
PEADIATRICS NOTES.docx lecture notes for medical students
Vaccines and immunization including cold chain , Open vial policy.pptx
The Digestive System Science Educational Presentation in Dark Orange, Blue, a...
OSCE SERIES ( Questions & Answers ) - Set 5.pdf
Copy of OB - Exam #2 Study Guide. pdf
Effects of lipid metabolism 22 asfelagi.pptx
Neonate anatomy and physiology presentation
CARDIOVASCULAR AND RENAL DRUGS.pptx for health study
Electrolyte Disturbance in Paediatric - Nitthi.pptx
Rheumatology Member of Royal College of Physicians.ppt
AGE(Acute Gastroenteritis)pdf. Specific.

Raditherapy4idiots

  • 1. Introduction to Radiation Oncology Editors: Abigail T. Berman, MD, University of Pennsylvania Jordan Kharofa, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin What Every Medical Student Needs to Know
  • 2. Objectives  Introduction to Oncology  Epidemiology  Overview  Mechanism of Action  Production of Radiation  Delivery of Radiation  Definitive vs Palliative Therapy  Dose and Fractionation  Process of Radiation  MCW Radiation Oncology Department
  • 3. Medical Student Goals  Introduction to oncology basics  Learn basics of radiation oncology  AttendTumor Board and conferences  Have Fun!
  • 4. Cancer Epidemiology 5  Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells  If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death  Approximately 1,660,290 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2013
  • 5. Introduction to Radiation 1  Radiation oncology is the medical use of ionizing radiation (IR) as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.  IR damages DNA of cells either directly or indirectly, through the formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species.
  • 6. Mechanism of IR 4 Double-Stranded Break Single-Stranded Break
  • 7. RT-Induced Cell Death4  Mitotic cell death  Double and single-stranded breaks in a cell's DNA prevent that cell from dividing.  Direct cell killing through apoptosis
  • 8. Normal Cells vs Cancer Cells4  Cancer cells are usually undifferentiated and have a decreased ability to repair damage  Healthy (normal) cells are differentiated and have the ability to repair themselves (cell cycle check points)  G0G1SG2M  DNA damage in cancer cells is inherited through cell division  accumulating damage to malignant cells causes them to die
  • 9. Production of Radiation1  IR is produced by electron, photon, proton, neutron or ion beams  Beams are produced by linear accelerators (LINAC)
  • 10. Three Main Types of External Beam  Photons  X-rays from a linear accelerator  Light Charged Particles  Electrons  Heavy Charged Particles  Protons  Carbon ions
  • 11. Timeline Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning Quality Assurance Set-up Delivery of RT Follow up visits and scans Weekly On- Treatment Visits 1-2 Weeks
  • 12. What is a simulation? • Custom planning appointment placing patient in reproducible position Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning Quality Assurance Set-up Delivery of RT Follow up visits and scans Weekly On- Treatment Visits
  • 13. Contouring: Advances in Simulation Imaging Really Help! PET/CT simulation Now you can see what part is most likely active tumor  Target structures  Organs at risk (OARs) aka normal tissues Curran IJROBP 2011 Consultation Simulation Contouring Planning Quality Assurance Set-up Delivery of RT Follow up visits and scans Weekly On- Treatment Visits Curran et al.
  • 14. Linear Accelerator (LINAC) 1  Delivers a uniform dose of high-energy X-rays to the tumor.  X-rays can kill the malignant cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.  Treat all body sites with cancer  LINAC accelerates electrons, which collide with a heavy metal target high-energy X-rays are produced.  High energy X-rays directed to tumor  X-rays are shaped as they exit the machine to conform to the shape of the patient’s and the tumor.
  • 15. LINAC1  Conformal treatment  Blocks placed in the head of the machine  Multileaf collimator that is incorporated into the head of the machine.  The beam comes out of the gantry, which rotates around the patient.  Pt lies on a moveable treatment table and lasers are used to make sure the patient is in the proper position.  RT can be delivered to the tumor from any angle by rotating the gantry and moving the treatment couch.
  • 18. Delivery of Radiation1,4  External beam RT (outside body)  Conventional 3D-RT (using CT based treatment planning)  Stereotactic radiosurgery  Ffocused RT beams targeting a well-defined tumor using extremely detailed imaging scans.  Cyberknife  Gamma Knife  Novalis  Synergy  TomoTherapy
  • 19. Gamma Knife6  Device used to treat brain tumors and other conditions with a high dose of RT in 1 fraction.  Tumors or tumor cavities ≤ 4 cm  Contains 201 Co-60 sources arranged in a circular array in a heavily shielded device.  This aims gamma RT through a target point in the pt’s brain.  Halo surgically fixed to skull for immobilization  MRI done  used for planning purposes.  Ablative dose of RT is then sent through the tumor in 1 fraction  Surrounding brain tissues are relatively spared.  Total time can take up to 45 minutes
  • 21.  Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)  High-precision RT that improves the ability to conform the treatment volume to concave tumor shapes  Image-Guided RT (IGRT)  Repeated imaging scans (CT, MRI or PET) are performed daily while pt is on treatment table.  Allows to identify changes in a tumor’s size and/or location and allows the position of the patient or dose to be adjusted during treatment as needed.  Can increase the accuracy of radiation treatment (reduction in the planned volume of tissue to be treated) decrease radiation to normal tissue
  • 22.  Tomotherapy  Form of image-guided IMRT  Combination of CT imaging scanner and an external-beam radiation therapy machine.  Can rotate completely around the patient in the same manner as a normal CT scanner.  Obtain CT images of the tumor before treatment precise tumor targeting and sparing of normal tissue.
  • 24. Proton Therapy  Protons are positively charged particles located in the nucleus of a cell.  Deposit energy in tissue differently than photons  Photons: Deposit energy in small packets all along their path through tissue  Protons deposit much of its energy at the end of their path  Bragg peak (see next slide)
  • 26. Brachytherapy  Sealed radioactive sources placed in area of treatment  Low dose (LDR) vs High Dose (HDR)  LDR: Continuous low-dose radiation from the source over a period of days  Ex) Radioactive seeds in prostate cancer  HDR: Robotic machine attached to delivery tubes placed inside the body guides radioactive sources into or near a tumor.  Sources removed at the end of each treatment session.  HDR can be given in one or more treatment sessions.  Ex. Intracavitary implants for gynecologic cancer
  • 27.  Temporary vs. Permanent Implants  Permanent: Sources are surgically sealed within the body and remain there after radiation delivered  Example: Prostate seed implants (see next slide)
  • 29.  Temporary: Catheters or other “carriers” deliver the RT sources (see next slide)  Catheters and RT sources removed after treatment.  Can be either LDR or HDR
  • 31. Uses of RT2  Definitive Treatment  Aid in killing both gross and microscopic disease  Palliative Treatment  Relieve pain or improve function or in pts with widespread disease or other functional deficits  Cranial nerve palsies  Gynecologic bleeding  Airway obstruction.  Primary mode of therapy  Combine radiotherapy with surgery, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.
  • 32. Dose3  Amount of RT measured in gray (Gy)  Varies depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated.  Ex. Breast cancer: 50-60 Gy (definitive)  Ex. SC compression: 30 Gy (palliative)  Dose Depends on site of disease and if other modalities of treatment are being used in conjunction with RT  Delivery of particular dose is determined during treatment planning
  • 33. Fractionation3  Total dose is spread out over course of days-weeks (fractionation)  Allows normal cells time to recover, while tumor cells are generally less efficient in repair between fractions  Allows tumor cells that were in radio-resistant phase of the cell cycle during one treatment to cycle into a sensitive phase of the cycle before the next tx is given.  RT given M-F/ 5 days per week.  For adults usually administer 1.8 to 2 Gy/day, depending on tumor type  In some cases, can give 2 tx (2 fractions) per day
  • 34. Radiosensitivity3  Different cancers respond differently to RT  Highly radiosensitive cancer cells are rapidly killed by modest doses of RT  Lymphomas (30-36 Gy)  Seminomas (25-30 Gy)  More radio-resistant tumors require higher doses of RT  H&N CA (70 Gy/35 fx)  Prostate CA (70-74 Gy)  GBM (60 Gy/30 fx)
  • 35. Process of RT  74 y/o pt with CC of prostate cancer  T1c, PSA 10, GS 7 (intermediate risk prostate cancer)  Pt opts for RT  CT simulation CT scan to identify the tumor and surrounding normal structures.  Placed in molds/vac fixes that immobilize pt, skin marks placed, so position can be recreated during treatment
  • 36. Process of RT  CT scan loaded onto computers with planning software  Prostate (gross tumor volume-GTV) and adjacent structures are drawn (contoured) on planning software
  • 38. Process of RT Planning  Margins are placed around gross tumor volume to encompass microscopic disease spread (clinical tumor volume-CTV)  Margins are placed around CTV  This is the planning tumor volume  Want highest doses to GTV, CTV and PTV  Relatively lower doses to bladder, rectum, small bowel, femoral heads, etc  Fields placed  Dose-volume histogram reviewed  Graphically summarizes the simulated radiation distribution within a volume of interest of a patient which would result from a proposed radiation treatment plan.
  • 41. Process of RT Planning  Pt returns to RT department to initiate RT approx 7-14 days later  Undergo a “dry-run”  After dry-run, pt starts treatment
  • 43. Side-Effects3  Acute vs Long term side-effects  Side effects usually localized  Ex.Acute side effects of prostate cancer  Diarrhea  Increased frequency of urination  Dysuria  Skin erythema  LT side-effects  Decreased sexual functioning  Approx 1% risk of injury to bowel or bladder  Systemic side effects  Fatigue
  • 44. Intraparenchymal Brain Metastasis  Clinical Incidence  Lung 30-40%  Breast 15-25%  Melanoma 12-20%  Unknown primary 3-8%  Colorectal 3-7%  Renal 2-6% NCCN  Symptoms • Headache 50% • Focal weakness 30% • Mental disturbance 30% • Gait disturbance 20% • Seizures 18%  Signs • Altered mental status 60% • Hemiparesis 60% • Hemisensory loss 20% • Papilledema 20% • Gait ataxia 20% • Aphasia 18%
  • 45. Management of Brain Metastases  Steroids  Anticonvulsants  Used to manage seizures in patients with brain tumors  A significant fraction [40-50%] of such patients do not require AEDs  Associated with inherent morbidity  Monotherapy preferable  May complicate administration of chemotherapy [p450 inducers]  Surgery  Radiation therapy  Whole brain radiation  Stereotactic radiosurgery
  • 46. Whole brain radiation Adverse events: • Short term: • fatigue, hair loss, erythema • Long term: • decreased neurocognitive effects (short term memory, altered executive function) • somnolence • leukoencephalopathy • brain atrophy • normal pressure hydrocephalus • cataracts • RT necrosis
  • 47. Spinal Cord Compression  Back pain  Radicular symptoms  Neurologic signs and symptoms  Often neurologic signs and symptoms are permanent  Ambulation and bowel/bladder function at the time of starting therapy correlates highly with ultimate functional outcome  Plain films  60-80% of patients with epidural disease/spinal cord compression have abnormal plain films  MRI  Order with gad  Will show intramedullary lesions  Need to obtain a full screening MRI of the spine  Myelogram/Metrizamide C
  • 48. Spinal Cord Compression - Treatment  Steroids are recommended for any patient with neurologic deficits suspected or confirmed to have CC. 10 mg IV/po and then 4-6 mg po q6 hrs  Surgery should be considered for patients with a good prognosis who are medically and surgically operable  Radiotherapy after surgery  RT should be given to nonsurgical patients  Therapies should be initiated prior to neurological deficits when possible Loblaw DA et al IJROBP March 2012
  • 49. References 1. Gunderson, et. al. Clinical Radiation Oncology. 2nd edition. “Radiation Oncology Physics.” 2. Hansen, E; Roach, M. Handbook of Evidenced-based Radiation Oncology. 2007 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_therapy 3. http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/erhs/XRT/Frames/OVERVIE W/OVERVIEW.TherapeuticModalities.htm 4. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/radia tion 5. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/document s/document/acspc-024113.pdf 6. Gunderson, et.al. Clinical Radiation Oncology. 2nd edition. “Central Nervous SystemTumors.”