Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is therapy using ionizing radiation most commonly applied to cancerous tumors to control or kill malignant cells. Radiation therapy used in mesothelioma patients is designed to slow down the spread of the cancerous cells or unaffected areas that may become infected. Most radiation measures are not curative, but depending on the stage of the mesothelioma, can reduce the spread of the cancer and prolong life.

Radiation therapy is not recommended for Peritoneal or Pericardial Mesothelioma patients because of the adverse side effect. Radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy has been used before, during, and after surgery to prevent the spread of cancerous cells and where cells have been extricated, prevent their return. According to Cancer Treatment Centers of America there are three principle radiation therapies currently being used to treat mesothelioma patients.

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External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a type of radiation therapy that directs a beam of radiation from outside the body at cancerous tissues inside the body.

How it works

EBRT delivers high-energy rays to tumors, using a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator. This machine allows radiation to be delivered from any angle and shapes radiation beams to the contour of the tumor. Radiation oncologists use EBRT to target a tumor with higher, more precise doses of radiation, while minimizing damage to your healthy tissue and nearby organs. As a result, EBRT can reduce the risk of side effects typically associated with radiation treatment.

EBRT is typically administered daily over a period of six to eight weeks. Each treatment takes a few minutes and is done as an outpatient procedure.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a state-of-the-art radiation delivery system that is used to treat difficult-to-reach tumors.

How it works

IMRT uses advanced software to plan a precise dose of radiation, based on tumor size, shape and location. A computer-controlled device called a linear accelerator delivers radiation in sculpted doses that match the exact 3D geometrical shape of the tumor, including concave and complex shapes.

With IMRT, radiation oncologists can adjust the intensity of radiation beams across the treatment area as needed with laser accuracy. This means we can deliver higher radiation doses than traditional radiation therapy methods, while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues Because of its greater degree of accuracy, IMRT may be a treatment option for patients who have reached the maximum allowable dose of conventional radiation therapy and have a recurrent tumor in the treated area.

High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy that delivers radiation from implants placed close to, or inside, the tumor(s) in the body.

Because cancer often affects organs and other essential structures, it is important for radiation treatment to be tightly focused on tumors to minimize serious side effects. This technique ensures the maximum radiation dose is given to cancerous tissues, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue.

How it works

With this form of brachytherapy, tiny, hollow catheters are temporarily inserted directly into a tumor. Before each treatment, we check the position of the catheters with millimeter precision.

Next, a series of radioactive pellets are inserted into each catheter. Computer guidance controls (1) how far the pellet goes into the catheter to precisely target the location of tumors, and (2) how long the pellet stays in the catheter to release its radiation dose.

With a few well-placed catheters, HDR brachytherapy can provide a precise treatment that takes only a few minutes. Brachytherapy offers a quicker, more effective type of radiation treatment for some patients. For many cancer types, the entire brachytherapy treatment takes one to two days, instead of five to seven weeks for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Depending on the type and stage of cancer, brachytherapy may be combined with other treatments, which can vary treatment times.