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Radiation therapy
involves using many terms you may have
never heard before. Below is a
list of words you may hear during
your treatment. |
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Adjuvant treatment
A treatment that is given
in addition to the primary treatment
to enhance its effectiveness
and reduce the chance of the
tumor recurring.
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Applicator
A device used to hold a radioactive
source in place during brachytherapy.
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Beamfilms
Another term for port films, beam
films are pictures of the position
of the radiation beams used to
treat cancer. They are used to
verify the position of the beams
and confirm that treatment is
delivered to the right place.
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Blocks
Pieces of metal alloy that can
be used to shape the radiation
beam. |
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Boost
An additional dose of radiation
that is given after an initial
course of radiation to enhance
tumor control. A boost may be
given to the tumor and areas to
which the tumor may have spread. |
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Brachytherapy
Internal radiation therapy that
involves placing radioactive sources
inside or adjacent to the tumor.
Cancer A group of diseases in
which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably,
forming a tumor or mass. |
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Catheter
A tube inserted into the body
that can be used to deliver radiation
during brachytherapy. |
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Clinical trails
Studies that test new cancer therapies.
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CT or CAT scan
A computer assisted tomography
scan is an X-ray procedure that
uses a computer to produce detailed
pictures of the body.
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High dose rate remote after
loading machine
A medical device that allows radiation
to be delivered into a patient's
body through catheters during
brachytherapy. |
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Hyper fractionated radiation
therapy
A type of radiation therapy in
which the radiation doses are
divided into smaller amounts (hyper
fractionation) and patients undergo
radiation treatment more than
once a day. |
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Hypo fractionated radiation
therapy
A type of radiation therapy in
which patients undergo one or
just a few treatments. |
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Immobilization device
A device that is used to help
a patient remain in the same position
during every treatment. |
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Implants
Another term for brachytherapy,
internal radiation therapy involves
placing radioactive sources inside
the patient close to or in the
tumor. |
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Intensity modulated radiation
therapy or IMRT
IMRT is a specialized form of
external beam therapy that allows
radiation to be shaped to fit
your tumor. |
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Interstitial brachytherapy
A form of seed implant where the
radioactive sources are placed
directly into the tumor, such
as the prostate. |
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Intra cavity brachytherapy
A type of brachytherapy where
the radioactive seeds are put
into a space where the tumor is
located, such as the cervix or
windpipe. |
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Linear accelerator
The most common type of machine
used to deliver external radiation
therapy. Sometimes called a "linac". |
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Metastases
Cancer that has spread from one
part of the body to another, such
as from the breast to the lymph
nodes or bones. |
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Monoclonal antibody
A type of antibody that is created
in the laboratory. |
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MR or MRI scan
A magnetic resonance imaging scan
is a procedure that uses a magnetic
field to create detailed pictures
of the body. |
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Multi leaf collimator or MLC
A part of a linear accelerator
that is used to shape the radiation
beam. |
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Neutron beam therapy
A specialized type of external
beam radiation therapy similar
to proton therapy. |
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Palliative care/palliation
Treatment that is intended to
relieve symptoms, but not cure
disease. |
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PET scan
A positron emission tomography
scan uses a small dose of a chemical
called a radionuclide combined
with a sugar, which is injected
into the patient. The radionuclide
emits positrons. The PET scanner
detects the positron emissions
given off by the radionuclide.
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Proton beam therapy
An external beam therapy that
uses protons rather than X-rays
to treat tumors. |
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Radiation oncologist
A doctor who specializes in treating
cancer and other diseases with
radiation therapy. |
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Radiation oncology
The medical specialty that deals
with treating cancer and other
diseases with radiation. |
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Radiation therapy
The careful use of various
forms of radiation to treat cancer
and other diseases. |
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Radio immunotherapy
The use of radio labeled antibodies
to deliver radiation directly
to a tumor. |
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Radio labeled antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies (antibodies
produced in a laboratory) that
have had a radioactive isotope
attached to them in a process
called radio labeling. |
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Radio protector
A type of drug that protects
normal tissues in the area being
treated. |
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Radio resistant
A term used to describe a tumor
that does not respond well to
radiation therapy. |
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Radio sensitize
A type of drug that can make a
tumor respond better to radiation
therapy. |
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Simulation
The process of planning radiation
therapy to allow the radiation
to be delivered to the intended
location. |
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Systemic radiation therapy
The use of radioactive isotopes
that can travel throughout the
body to treat certain cancers.
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Treatment plan
A radiation oncologists prescription
describing how a patient should
be treated with radiation therapy.
The radiation oncology team uses
sophisticated treatment planning
software to maximize radiation
to the tumor while sparing healthy
tissue. |
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Tumor
An abnormal lump or mass of
tissue
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