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How long do radiation treatments typically last?
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NoushinHartMD (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified) ) - 03 / 24 / 2012
The duration of radiation treatments are also determined by the type and stage of the courses. Before prescribing any dose of radiation, a radiation oncologist has to first determine what the intention of the treatment would be. Treatment intent is either palliative or definitive.
Palliative treatment are usually given either to palliate pain, remove compression of tumor on a vital organ such as spinal cord, preventing fracture if the cancer has spread to a weigh-bearing bone, or in the case of brain metastasis to relieve the life-threatening pressure inside the brain. Palliative treatments are often given in short courses of 2-3 weeks not only because the radiation dose per individual treatments (aka fractions) is usually higher but also because the total dose of radiation is lower. Palliative radiation is often used stage IV. That is when the cancer has spread to other organs and even though it might be treatable, it is not curable.
Definitive treatment is given when, based on the stage of the cancer, statistically there is a chance for its cure (i.e. stage I-III). Depending on the type of cancer, definitive radiation can take up to 9 weeks not only because the radiation dose per individual treatments (aka fractions) is usually lower but also because the total dose of radiation is higher. Definitive treatments are given to the primary site of cancer (i.e. original site where the cancer started).
Radiation is normally given five days a week Monday through Friday. In some instances twice a day radiation may be recommended. In this case the two treatments are at least six hours apart. How long each individual treatment would take depends on many factors including the dose per fraction, the number of fields used to treat a target, the technology used and the energy and form of radiation.
Brachytherapy (aka "internal radiation") is usually given in much fewer number of treatments. For example prostate seed implant requires one procedure to place the seeds in the prostate. In treatment of gynecological cancers depending on whether Low Dose Radiation (LDR) or High Dose Rate (HDR) radiation is used anywhere between 2 to 6 treatments often one to two weeks apart is given. In a similar manner systemic radiation, in the form of an injection or oral intake, would require much fewer number of treatments. For example treatment of thyroid cancer using I-131 often requires only one treatment.
Palliative treatment are usually given either to palliate pain, remove compression of tumor on a vital organ such as spinal cord, preventing fracture if the cancer has spread to a weigh-bearing bone, or in the case of brain metastasis to relieve the life-threatening pressure inside the brain. Palliative treatments are often given in short courses of 2-3 weeks not only because the radiation dose per individual treatments (aka fractions) is usually higher but also because the total dose of radiation is lower. Palliative radiation is often used stage IV. That is when the cancer has spread to other organs and even though it might be treatable, it is not curable.
Definitive treatment is given when, based on the stage of the cancer, statistically there is a chance for its cure (i.e. stage I-III). Depending on the type of cancer, definitive radiation can take up to 9 weeks not only because the radiation dose per individual treatments (aka fractions) is usually lower but also because the total dose of radiation is higher. Definitive treatments are given to the primary site of cancer (i.e. original site where the cancer started).
Radiation is normally given five days a week Monday through Friday. In some instances twice a day radiation may be recommended. In this case the two treatments are at least six hours apart. How long each individual treatment would take depends on many factors including the dose per fraction, the number of fields used to treat a target, the technology used and the energy and form of radiation.
Brachytherapy (aka "internal radiation") is usually given in much fewer number of treatments. For example prostate seed implant requires one procedure to place the seeds in the prostate. In treatment of gynecological cancers depending on whether Low Dose Radiation (LDR) or High Dose Rate (HDR) radiation is used anywhere between 2 to 6 treatments often one to two weeks apart is given. In a similar manner systemic radiation, in the form of an injection or oral intake, would require much fewer number of treatments. For example treatment of thyroid cancer using I-131 often requires only one treatment.
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