The cost of Image Guided radiation therapy IGRT in India ranges from USD 3500 to USD 10000

Image Guided radiation therapy IGRT:

The use of imaging during radiation therapy to increase the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery is known as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). IGRT is used to treat malignancies in moving parts of the body, such the lungs. Radiation therapy devices use imaging technology that allows your doctor to see the tumour before and after treatment. The patient's location and/or the radiation beams can be modified to more accurately target the radiation dosage to the tumour by comparing these pictures to the reference images acquired during simulation.Fiducial markers, ultrasound, MRI, x-ray imaging of bone structure, CT scan, 3-D body surface mapping, electromagnetic transponders, or coloured ink tattoos on the skin may be used in various IGRT treatments to help orient and target the radiation equipment.

Image Guided radiation therapy IGRT:

The use of imaging during radiation therapy to increase the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery is known as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). IGRT is used to treat malignancies in moving parts of the body, such the lungs. Radiation therapy devices use imaging technology that allows your doctor to see the tumour before and after treatment. The patient's location and/or the radiation beams can be modified to more accurately target the radiation dosage to the tumour by comparing these pictures to the reference images acquired during simulation.Fiducial markers, ultrasound, MRI, x-ray imaging of bone structure, CT scan, 3-D body surface mapping, electromagnetic transponders, or coloured ink tattoos on the skin may be used in various IGRT treatments to help orient and target the radiation equipment.

Disease Overview:

A cancer is a condition in which cells develop abnormally (usually derived from a single abnormal cell). The cells have lost their usual regulatory systems, allowing them to reproduce indefinitely, invade neighbouring tissues, move to distant areas of the body, and induce the formation of new blood arteries through which they obtain nourishment. Malignant (cancerous) cells can arise from any tissue in the body.

As malignant cells proliferate and develop, they create a tumour, a mass of diseased tissue that invades and kills healthy tissues nearby. Tumor is a medical word for an abnormal growth or mass. Cancerous and noncancerous tumours exist. Cancerous cells can spread throughout the body from the main (initial) location (metastasize).

Types of cancer.

Cancerous tissues (malignancies) are classified as either blood and blood-forming tissues (leukemias and lymphomas) or "solid" tumours (a solid mass of cells), which are commonly referred to as cancer. Carcinomas and sarcomas are two types of cancerous solid tumours. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, for example, can be classified further by the organ in which it first develops and the type of cell in which it arises.

Leukemias and lymphomas are malignancies of the blood and immune system's blood-forming organs and cells. Blood-forming cells give birth to leukemias, which push out the formation of normal blood cells in the bone marrow. Lymphoma cancer cells enlarge lymph nodes, resulting in huge lumps in the armpit, groyne, abdomen, or chest.

Cancers of the cells that coat the skin, lungs, digestive tract, and internal organs are known as carcinomas. Cancers of the skin, lungs, colon, stomach, breasts, prostate, and thyroid gland are examples of carcinomas. Carcinomas are more common in older adults than in younger people.

Sarcomas are tumours that develop in the cells of the mesoderm. Muscles, blood vessels, bone, and connective tissue are all formed by mesodermal cells. Sarcomas include leiomyosarcoma (smooth muscle cancer seen in the walls of digestive organs) and osteosarcoma (bone cancer) (bone cancer). Sarcomas are more common in younger persons than in elderly people.

Terminology for Cancer

The following words are frequently used while talking about cancer:

Aggressiveness: The rate at which a tumour grows and spreads (or the degree to which it grows and spreads).

Anaplasia refers to the cancer cells' inability to differentiate. The cells, in other words, do not appear to be normal cells of the same tissue type. The majority of anaplastic malignancies are quite aggressive.

Noncancerous means benign. Benign tumours do not infect neighbouring tissues or spread through the circulation or lymphatic system to distant locations (metastasize). A benign tumour, on the other hand, may continue to grow in place and create complications by pushing on neighbouring tissues.

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.

Carcinoma-in-situ refers to cancerous cells that have not yet invaded surrounding normal tissue or moved to other regions of the body and are still isolated within the tissue where they began to develop.

Cure: Complete cancer eradication, with the consequence that the cancer will not resurface.

Differentiation refers to the degree to which cancer cells have developed, stopped growing, and acquired normal biological activities, no longer resembling quickly proliferating and primitive cells.

Grade: The degree of abnormalities in the appearance of cancer cells under a microscope; more aberrant cells appear to be more aggressive.

Invasion: A cancer's ability to invade and kill surrounding tissue.

Cancerous cells that can infect surrounding tissue and spread to other regions of the body are referred to as malignant.

The intricate process by which cancerous cells emerge from healthy ones is known as malignant transformation.

Cancerous cells that have spread to a new area are called metastasis.

Neoplasm: A tumour, whether malignant or noncancerous, is referred to as a neoplasm.

Recurrence (relapse): Cancerous cells reappear after therapy, either as metastases or at the initial site (spread)

Remission: The absence of all signs and symptoms of cancer following therapy, however the disease may still be present in the body.

The stage of cancer refers to how far it has spread.

The percentage of persons who live for a certain amount of time following therapy is known as the survival rate (for example, the 5-year survival rate is the percentage of people who survive 5 years)

A tumour is a growth or lump that is abnormal.

Disease Signs and Symptoms:

Cancer's signs and symptoms vary depending on whatever region of the body is afflicted.

The following are some generic indications and symptoms that are linked to cancer but are not unique to it:

• Fatigue
  
• Under the skin, there is a lump or a thickening that may be felt.
• Weight fluctuations, such as unintentional weight loss or gain
• Skin changes such as skin yellowing, darkening, or redness, open wounds that don't heal, or changes to existing moles are all signs of a problem.
• Changes in the way you eat or how you use the bathroom
• Coughing that won't go away or problems breathing
• Swallowing problems
• Hoarseness
• Consistent indigestion or discomfort after eating Muscle or joint pain that is unexplained
• Fevers or night sweats that don't go away or aren't explained
• Bleeding or bruising that isn't explained

Disease Causes:

Changes (mutations) in the DNA of cells are the cause of cancer. Each gene in a cell has a collection of instructions that teach the cell what functions to execute as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause a cell to cease functioning normally and even lead it to become malignant.

A healthy cell can be told by a gene mutation to:

Allow for quick expansion. A gene mutation might cause a cell to divide and expand more quickly. This produces a large number of new cells with the same mutation.

Stopping uncontrolled cell development is a failure. Normal cells know when to cease growing so that the number of each type of cell is just perfect. Tumor suppressor genes, which tell cancer cells when to stop growing, are lost in cancer cells. Cancer cells can continue to proliferate and accumulate due to a mutation in a tumour suppressor gene.

When it comes to fixing DNA flaws, make mistakes. DNA repair genes seek for and correct mistakes in a cell's DNA. Other mistakes may not be fixed as a result of a mutation in a DNA repair gene, leading to malignant cells.

These are the most prevalent types of cancer mutations. However, numerous additional gene alterations can have a role in the development of cancer.

Gene mutations can develop for a variety of causes, including:

You are born with some gene mutations. You might be born with a genetic mutation that your parents passed down to you. Only a tiny fraction of tumours are caused by this mutation.

After-birth gene mutations are a type of genetic mutation that occurs after a person is born. Most gene mutations happen after you're born and aren't passed down via your family. Smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation, and a lack of exercise are only some of the factors that can trigger DNA alterations.

During normal cell development, gene mutations are common. Cells, on the other hand, have a system that identifies when a mistake is made and corrects it. Occasionally, a blunder gets overlooked. This has the potential to turn a cell malignant.

Gene mutations that you are born with and those that you acquire over time combine to create disease.

For example, just because you've inherited a cancer-predisposing genetic mutation doesn't indicate you'll acquire cancer. Instead, one or more additional gene alterations may be required to produce cancer. When exposed to a cancer-causing material, your inherited gene mutation may make you more likely to acquire cancer than other people.

It's unclear how many mutations are required for cancer to develop. This is likely to differ depending on the type of cancer.

Factors that are at risk

While doctors have an understanding of what variables may raise your cancer risk, the majority of malignancies are diagnosed in patients who have no known risk factors. The following are some of the factors that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer:

Age Factor

It might take decades for cancer to form. That's why the majority of cancer patients are 65 or older. While cancer is more frequent in older persons, it is not limited to them. Cancer can strike anybody at any age.

Your routines

Certain lifestyle choices have been linked to a higher risk of cancer. Cancer can be caused by smoking, drinking more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for males, excessive sun exposure or frequent blistering sunburns, being fat, and having unsafe sex.

You may reduce your cancer risk by changing these behaviours, however some are simpler to modify than others.

Your family's background

Only a tiny percentage of malignancies are caused by a genetic mutation. If your family has a history of cancer, it's probable that mutations are handed down from generation to generation. You could be a good candidate for genetic testing to check whether you have any hereditary mutations that raise your risk of cancer. It's important to remember that having an inherited genetic mutation doesn't indicate you'll acquire cancer.

Your health problems

Certain chronic health disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, can significantly raise your chance of acquiring cancer. Discuss your risk with your doctor.

An hereditary disease causes just a tiny percentage of malignancies. If cancer runs in your family, mutations may be passed down from generation to generation. You might be a candidate for genetic testing to check whether you have inherited mutations that raise your risk of cancer. It's important to remember that having an inherited genetic mutation doesn't always guarantee you'll acquire cancer.

Your surroundings

The environment you live in may include dangerous substances that raise your cancer risk. If you go places where people smoke or live with someone who smokes, you may inhale secondhand smoke even if you don't smoke. Asbestos and benzene, which may be found in your home or workplace, have also been linked to an elevated risk of cancer.

Disease Diagnosis:

Screening for cancer

The best chance for a cure is to diagnose cancer in its early stages. With this in mind, discuss your options for cancer screening with your doctor.

Studies demonstrate that screening tests can save lives by detecting cancer early in a select malignancies. Screening tests for various malignancies are only suggested for persons who are at a higher risk.

Cancer screening recommendations and guidelines are available from a number of medical organisations and patient advocacy organisations. Examine the various guidelines with your doctor, and together you can decide what is best for you based on your own cancer risk factors.

To diagnose cancer, your doctor may use one or more of the following methods:

Examination of the body. Your doctor may feel for bumps on your body that might signal cancer. During a physical examination, your doctor may search for anomalies that might suggest the presence of cancer, such as changes in skin colour or organ enlargement.

Tests in the lab Laboratory testing, such as urine and blood tests, may aid your doctor in detecting cancer-related abnormalities. A standard blood test called a complete blood count, for example, may detect an unusual quantity or kind of white blood cells in persons with leukaemia.

Imaging tests are performed. Noninvasive imaging examinations allow your doctor to inspect your bones and internal organs. A computed tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound, and X-ray are some of the imaging techniques used to diagnose cancer.

Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor takes a sample of cells for laboratory testing. A sample can be collected in a variety of ways. The sort of cancer you have and where it is located determine which biopsy method is best for you. In most cases, a biopsy is the only option to confirm a cancer diagnosis.

Doctors examine cell samples under a microscope in the laboratory. Normal cells have identical diameters and are organised in a logical manner. Cancer cells have a disorganised appearance, with various sizes and no obvious structure.

Stages of cancer

Your doctor will seek to identify the extent (stage) of your cancer once it has been identified. Your doctor will use the stage of your cancer to assess your treatment options and prospects of a cure.

Imaging tests, such as bone scans or X-rays, may be used as part of the staging process to check if the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The digits 0 through 4, which are typically represented as Roman numerals 0 through IV, are used to signify cancer stages. Higher figures imply that the cancer has progressed. The cancer stage is marked by letters or phrases in several kinds of cancer.

Disease Treatment:

There are several cancer therapies available. The kind and stage of your cancer, as well as your overall health and preferences, will all influence your treatment options. You and your doctor can decide which cancer therapy is best for you by weighing the advantages and dangers of each option.

Cancer therapy objectives

Treatments for cancer have a variety of goals, including:

Cure. The objective of treatment is to cure your cancer and restore your ability to live a normal life. Depending on your unique scenario, this may or may not be doable.

The first line of defence. A main treatment's purpose is to eradicate the cancer from your body or to destroy the cancer cells.

Any cancer therapy can be utilised as a first line of defence, however surgery is the most common first line of defence for the most prevalent malignancies. You may get one of these therapies as your primary treatment if your cancer is very susceptible to radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Treatment as a preventative measure. The purpose of adjuvant therapy is to eliminate any cancer cells that remain after initial treatment, lowering the chances of the cancer returning.

Adjuvant therapy can be used with any cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and hormone therapy are all common adjuvant therapies.

Palliative care is a term that refers to a type of therapy that Palliative therapy can assist with treatment side effects as well as cancer-related signs and symptoms. When a cure isn't feasible, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone treatment can all be used to ease symptoms and slow the spread of cancer. Pain and shortness of breath may be relieved by medications.

Palliative care can be used in conjunction with other therapies aimed at curing your cancer.

Treatments for cancer

When it comes to treating cancer, doctors have a wide range of options. Treatment options for cancer include:

Surgery. Surgery's purpose is to eliminate the malignancy, or as much of it as feasible.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that employs chemicals to destroy cancer cells.

Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that involves the use of To destroy cancer cells, radiation treatment employs high-powered energy beams such as X-rays and protons. Radiation therapy can originate from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation) or from within your body (internal beam radiation) (brachytherapy).

Transplantation of bone marrow. A stem cell transplant is another name for a bone marrow transplant. The stuff inside your bones that produces blood cells is called bone marrow. Your own cells or cells from a donor can be used in a bone marrow transplant.

A bone marrow transplant allows your doctor to treat your cancer with larger chemotherapy dosages. It can also be used to replace bone marrow that has become diseased.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that involves administering chemicals to cancer cells in order to destroy them.

Radiation therapy is a type of treatment in which the patient is exposed Radiation treatment kills cancer cells by bombarding them with high-powered radiation beams like X-rays and protons. External beam radiation is delivered by a machine outside your body, whereas internal beam radiation is delivered by a machine within your body (brachytherapy).

Transplantation of bone marrow A stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant are both terms for the same procedure. The stuff that generates blood cells is called bone marrow, and it is found within your bones. Your own cells or donor cells can be used in a bone marrow transplant.

Your doctor can use greater doses of chemotherapy to treat your cancer after a bone marrow transplant. It might potentially be used to replace bone marrow that has become damaged.

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