Canadian Medical Guide > Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment > Therapeutics > Radiotherapy Terms and Definitions

Radiotherapy

Medical Definition:	The use of ionizing radiation to treat malignant neoplasms and other benign conditions. The most common forms of ionizing radiation used as therapy are x-rays, gamma rays, and electrons. A special form of radiotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, links a cytotoxic radionuclide to a molecule that targets the tumor. When this molecule is an antibody or other immunologic molecule, the technique is called RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY.
Guide Notes:	GEN only: prefer /radiother with diseases: Manual 19.7+, 19.8.63; /adv eff: consider also RADIATION INJURIES or its specifics; RADIOISOTOPE TELETHERAPY; PITUITARY IRRADIATION & BRACHYTHERAPY are also available; DF: RADIOTHER
Also Called:	Radiotherapy, Targeted

Radiotherapy Categories.

	Brachytherapy - A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues.
	Cranial Irradiation - The exposure of the head to roentgen rays or other forms of radioactivity for therapeutic or preventive purposes.
	Hemibody Irradiation - Irradiation of one half or both halves of the body in the treatment of disseminated cancer or widespread metastases. It is used to treat diffuse metastases in one session as opposed to multiple fields over an extended period. The more frequent treatment modalities are upper hemibody irradiation (UHBI) or lower hemibody irradiation (LHBI). Less common is mid-body irradiation (MBI). In the treatment of both halves of the body sequentially, hemibody irradiation permits radiotherapy of the whole body with larger doses of radiation than could be accomplished with WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION. It is sometimes called "systemic" hemibody irradiation with reference to its use in widespread cancer or metastases. (P. Rubin et al. Cancer, Vol 55, p2210, 1985)
	Lymphatic Irradiation - External or interstitial irradiation to treat lymphomas (e.g., Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas) and lymph node metastases and also some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
	Radiosurgery - A stereotactic neurosurgery in which the usual rigid needles or probes are replaced with beams of ionizing radiation directed toward an intracranial target so as to achieve local tissue destruction. No skin incision or skull opening is required. It is performed with the "gamma knife", a self-contained unit with 201 cobalt-60 sources or with an isocentric linear accelerator (linac). (Goodman, M.L., Southern Medical Journal, vol. 83, May 1990, pp. 551-4)
	Radiotherapy Dosage - The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy.
	Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted - Computer systems or programs used in accurate computations for providing radiation dosage treatment to patients.
	Radiotherapy, High-Energy - Radiotherapy using high-energy (megavolt or higher) ionizing radiation. Types of radiation include gamma rays, produced by a radioisotope within a teletherapy unit; x-rays, electrons, protons, alpha particles (helium ions) and heavy charged ions, produced by particle acceleration; and neutrons and pi-mesons (pions), produced as secondary particles following bombardment of a target with a primary particle.
	Whole-Body Irradiation - Irradiation of the whole body with ionizing or non-ionizing radiation. It is applicable to humans or animals but not to microorganisms.
	X-Ray Therapy

Radiotherapy Medical Definitions and Terms

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