MEDICAL TOURISM RADIATION THERAPY
ON TARGET Latest advances in radiation therapy has made it possible to target the cancer cells better without affecting the adjacent normal structures
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ittle did the world realize the enormity of the development when Roentgen discovered X-rays way back in 1895. Initially, people considered it just a toy which would enable them to see the inside of the body and laugh at the sight. Within a year, these invisible rays were used to cure cancer. Such was the pace at which radiation impacted clinical practice. Radiation therapy is a key component of treatment of cancerous as well as non-cancerous conditions affecting the human body. More than 80% of the cancer patients require radiation as part of their treatment, either as a sole modality or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. In the 70s, Tele-Cobalt therapy machines were the only ones available for delivering radiation therapy. The power of the radioactive source of Tele-Cobalt therapy machines comes down by half in 5.2 years and hence it needs to be replaced once every 10 years. The average energy of the gamma rays emitted by Cobalt-60 radioactive isotope is around 1.25 MV (Million Volts). Compare this with the modern medical linear accelerators which have the capability of generating high
32 Medical Tourism Jan - Mar 2020
