Traditional treatments for cancer include "three horses", surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy (referred to as radiation therapy). Although emerging cancer treatment methods are emerging one after another, the role and status of radiotherapy are as solid as rock. Benefitin

Traditional treatments for cancer include "three horses", surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy (referred to as radiation therapy). Although emerging cancer treatment methods are emerging one after another, the role and status of radiotherapy are as solid as rock. Benefiting from the update and progress of medical technology, the advantages and characteristics of radiotherapy itself and its epitaxial effects are becoming increasingly prominent.

's important position has never been shaken

Radiotherapy is a local treatment method for the treatment of tumors using radiation. Radiation includes α, β, γ ray produced by radioisotope , and x ray , electron wire, proton beam and other particle beam produced by various x-ray treatment machines or accelerators. Professor Zhang Zhen, director of the Radiotherapy Center of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Fudan University, said that about 70% of cancer patients need radiation therapy during the treatment of cancer. During the decades of continuous development, the role and position of radiation therapy in tumor treatment is very important and has always been one of the main means of treating malignant tumors.

With the help of imaging technologies such as CT/MR and computer technology development, radiotherapy treats cancer. While accurately attacking tumors, it strictly controls the radiation dose of normal tissues outside the tumor to protect the patient's healthy tissue to the greatest extent. Radiotherapy has three main functions. On the one hand, it is local radical cure. For example, radiotherapy is the first choice for nasopharyngeal carcinoma ; on the other hand, it is to cooperate with surgery to achieve the effect of auxiliary radiotherapy; and on the other hand, it is palliative treatment to help patients maintain a good quality of life.

Professor Zhang Zhen pointed out that with the continuous advancement of modern radiotherapy technology, cancers that were previously limited to normal tissues and cannot be treated can not only be treated, but also cured through precise radiotherapy technology. In addition, the deeper transformation of radiotherapy is not only the development and transformation of radiotherapy technology itself, but also the overall progress of biotechnology and systemic therapy. Many advances and integration have driven radiotherapy to become an important part of multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment methods. For example, traditional drugs combined with tumor immune drugs often have limitations, and treatment through radiotherapy combined with tumor immune drugs shows more significant therapeutic effectiveness in clinical practice, prolonging the survival of patients and improving the quality of life.

application scope continues to expand

With the development of radiotherapy technology and the combined application of drugs, the scope of application of radiotherapy in tumor treatment has been continuously expanded and has been throughout the early, middle and late stages. Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy or targeted drugs, preoperative neoadjuvant treatment is carried out, and tumor retreat is achieved after treatment, so that advanced cancer patients who had lost the opportunity to operate are re-suited for surgical indications, thus obtaining the opportunity for improvement or even cure, thus reconstructing a new treatment model. For example, after low rectal cancer is treated with precision radiotherapy, patients can retain their anus, greatly improving their quality of life.

Modern radiotherapy technology is becoming more and more accurate and smarter. Relying on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to assist doctors in outlining the target area, the healthy tissue of patients can be protected to the greatest extent. The Radiotherapy Center of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Fudan University has introduced a new generation of spiral tomography therapy system TOMO®, which has taken a step forward based on the original technology. The unique 360° spiral tomography treatment mode of this advanced equipment can cover the treatment range of up to 135 cm in the whole body, and tumors in most parts of the patient's body can be irradiated at one time. TOMO® has a wide range of indications, including lung cancer, breast cancer , liver cancer , prostate cancer and multiple metastatic cancers.

tumor radiotherapy world leader

Professor Zhang Zhen introduced that the Radiation Treatment Center of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Fudan University is one of the earliest units engaged in tumor radiotherapy in China. It has a considerable academic reputation and academic status in the domestic and international oncology radiotherapy community. Whether it is hardware or software, it is at the leading level in Asia and even the world. The introduction of a new generation of spiral tomography therapy system TOMO® demonstrates that the department is at the forefront in introducing advanced global radiotherapy technology, which not only enhances the department's strength but also benefits the majority of patients.

Professor Zhang Zhen emphasized that the development of precision radiotherapy technology undoubtedly plays an important role in improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment. At the same time, patients also need to actively cooperate with doctors and seek medical treatment on time according to doctor's advice. When visiting the doctor, provide clinical information and examination results truthfully related to the changes in the condition so that the doctor can make decisions related to subsequent treatment.

(Pan Jiayi)