Can adaptive radiotherapy treat blood cancer ?

Radiation therapy is just one component of the treatment plan for blood cancer. In many cases, it is used in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplantation, or other therapies to achieve the best possible outcome. The choice of treatment is highly individualised, and the prognosis varies depending on the specific circumstances of each patient. Patients should discuss their treatment options and potential outcomes with their healthcare team, including oncologists and radiation oncologists, to make informed decisions about their treatment plan. The effectiveness of radiation therapy should be evaluated within the context of the overall treatment strategy for the particular type and stage of blood cancer. Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) is a specialised technique in radiation therapy that can be used to treat various types of cancer, including blood cancers like lymphoma and multiple myeloma. ART involves making real-time adjustments to the radiation treatment plan based on changes in the size, shape, and position of the tumor and surrounding tissues during the course of treatment. This allows for more precise and effective delivery of radiation while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Here's how adaptive radiotherapy can be applied to the treatment of blood cancer: Lymphoma: In cases of lymphoma, especially when the tumor is near critical organs or structures that may change in size or position over time, adaptive radiotherapy can help ensure that the radiation is accurately delivered to the tumor while sparing healthy tissues. This approach is particularly useful when treating lymphomas in the chest or abdomen, where breathing and other factors can affect the tumor's location. Multiple Myeloma: Adaptive radiotherapy can be used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, especially when the disease involves bone lesions. Bone lesions can change in size and location, and ART allows for adjustments to the treatment plan as needed to target these areas effectively. The key benefits of adaptive radiotherapy for blood cancer treatment include increased precision, reduced radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, and improved treatment outcomes. It is particularly valuable when treating cancers located in areas where motion or changes in anatomy may impact the accuracy of radiation delivery. However, the decision to use adaptive radiotherapy is made on a case-by-case basis, and not all patients with blood cancer will require this level of adaptability in their radiation treatment plans. It depends on the specific characteristics of the cancer, its location, and the patient's individual circumstances. Patients with blood cancer should discuss their treatment options, including the potential use of adaptive radiotherapy, with their radiation oncologist and healthcare team to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for their specific condition. Know more about ETHOS Adaptive Radiotherapy with SGRT. The effectiveness of radiation therapy also depends on precise targeting and minimising damage to healthy tissues. Advances in radiation therapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), have improved the ability to precisely deliver radiation to cancerous cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue.