Dr. Rafael Araúz

What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation oncology is a medical specialty dedicated to the treatment of cancer through the use of ionizing radiation. This field combines knowledge of oncology and radiotherapy to offer effective and personalized treatments to cancer patients.

How Does Radiation Oncology Work?
Radiation oncology uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. Over time, these damaged cells die and are eliminated by the body.

Types of Radiotherapy
There are two main types of radiotherapy used in radiation oncology:

External Beam Radiotherapy: This type of treatment uses a machine that directs radiation toward the tumor from outside the body. It is a local treatment, meaning it only affects the specific part of the body where the tumor is located.
Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy): In this treatment, the radiation source is placed inside the body, close to the tumor. It may be in the form of seeds, ribbons or capsules containing radioactive material.

Applications of Radio-Oncology
Radiation oncology is used to treat a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, and head and neck cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.

Side effects
Although radiation therapy is effective at destroying cancer cells, it can also affect healthy cells near the tumor, which can cause side effects. These effects vary depending on the part of the body being treated and may include fatigue, skin irritation, and changes in appetite.

Importance of Radio-Oncology
Radiation oncology is crucial in the treatment of cancer, as it offers a non-invasive option to shrink tumors and control the disease. Advances in this area continue to improve the precision and effectiveness of treatments, providing hope to many patients around the world.