Recent advances in radiotherapy and its associated side effects in cancer—a review

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is the chief nonsurgical method to control malignant tumors. RT has advanced in both methodological and biological aspects over the past few decades. Though RT is a momentous adjuvant noninvasive technique, it leaves behind some unsympathetic effects. Research is going on to surmount these pessimistic sides of RT. Methods: We made a mini review of recent articles from the period of 2000 to 2017 regarding radiotherapy and its side effects in various types of cancers. The literature review was done by searching in PUBMED, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS. Results: Here, we spotlight the physiological and genetic risks associated with the cancer patients undergoing RT. We illustrated the course of RT in most prevalent cancers tailored with dosage distribution. Radiation-induced mutation in the patients undergoing RT has been shown with evidence. Further, the major drawbacks like the development of radiation resistance in cancerous cells and secondary malignancies have been discussed. The problems associated with radiation dosage in terms of infertility and rejuvenation of reproductive cells has also been discussed. Finally, we discussed the latest treatment stratagem of RT in cancer. Conclusion: Cancer treatment will not be accomplished devoid of radiotherapy. But we can brace RT using radiosensitizers and ayurvedic radioprotectors.

Access of Patients With Lung Cancer to High Technology Radiation Therapy in Brazil

“…Cancer management comprises a broad range of treatment types based on distinct techniques, and approximately 60% of all cancer types require RT. 19 For lung cancer, this number is even higher reaching approximately 77%. 7 Nevertheless, this percentage could be underestimated after recent publications suggested that oligometastatic patients show an increased overall survival benefit when irradiated.…”

Radiation-induced side effects in breast cancer patients and factors affecting them

“…Apart from these, fatigue, lymphoedema and changes in breast color and shape are some common early symptoms after radiation therapy. RT induced early fatigue is common in up to 80% of breast cancer patients (Mohan et al, 2019). This early fatigue is accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and of acute Box 1 | Normal Tissue Tolerance The degree of structural damage to a tissue usually depends on the cell's radio-sensitivity.…”

El Potencial de la Hidroxiapatita Dopada como Sensor Termoluminiscente de Radiación ionizante

“…Al extenderse el uso de las radiaciones en diferentes ámbitos del área médica y de otras áreas, surge la necesidad de hacer cuantificaciones más precisas, así como el interés por desarrollar nuevos materiales termoluminiscentes con fines dosimétricos (Borchi et al, 1996). En este sentido, se han propuesto otros materiales como ZnO (Mohan et al, 2019), ZrO2 (CHOPPIN et al, 2002, diamante sintético (Daneshvar et al, 2020), e hidroxiapatita (Daneshvar et al, 2019), entre otros. De éstos, la hidroxiapatita (Hap) como material termoluminiscente ha llamado la atención, de tal manera que la cantidad de publicaciones en revistas científicas en los últimos años es muy extensa; en estas se analiza la respuesta termoluminiscente en función de la dosis depositada por radiación ionizante, e influencia de dopantes (Azorín Nieto, 2004;Borbón-Nuñez et al, 2014;Silindir Gunay & Ozer, 2009;Villaseñor Cerón et al, 2019;Zarinfar et al, 2015b).…”