The word "radiotherapy" is pronounced /ˌreɪ.di.oʊˈθer.ə.pi/. The "radi" prefix comes from "radiation," which refers to high-energy particles or waves that can cause damage to living tissue. The rest of the word is spelled with the conventional English spelling rules, with each syllable pronounced as follows: "o" as in "no," "ther" as in "thermal," "a" as in "cat," "py" as in "pie." Radiotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells.
Radiotherapy is a medical treatment modality that utilizes high-energy radiation beams to target, destroy, or control the growth of cancer cells in the body. It is a form of oncology treatment that aims to shrink tumors, alleviate symptoms, and ultimately improve the patient's quality of life. Radiotherapy commonly utilizes ionizing radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, to deliver controlled doses of radiation specifically to the cancer-affected areas, while minimizing harm to the surrounding healthy tissues.
The process of radiotherapy begins with careful planning, where imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) scans are used to identify tumor characteristics and select the optimal radiation treatment parameters. Treatment sessions typically take place over several weeks, during which the patient lies on a treatment table while the radiation machine delivers the radiation precisely to the tumors. The treatment is usually painless, although some patients may experience mild side effects like fatigue, skin reactions, or temporary hair loss.
Radiotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatment modalities, such as surgery or chemotherapy, depending on the specific cancer type, stage, and the patient's overall health condition. The ultimate goal of radiotherapy is to eradicate cancer cells, prevent their proliferation or slow their growth, while striving to preserve the patient's normal tissue function.
Actinotherapy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The word "radiotherapy" comes from the combination of two words: "radio" and "therapy".
"Radio" has its roots in the Latin word "radius", meaning "ray" or "spoke of a wheel". In the context of "radio", it refers to electromagnetic radiation, particularly radio waves.
"Therapy" has its origins in the Greek word "therapeia", meaning "healing" or "care". It is often used to describe various treatment methods aimed at curing or managing diseases.
Hence, "radiotherapy" combines these two elements to describe a medical treatment that uses radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, to target and eliminate cancer cells or manage other diseases.