Radiotherapy is a vital component in the management of brain tumors. It is a treatment modality that utilizes high-energy radiation to target and destroy tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue. Brain tumors can be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary brain tumors originate within the brain, while secondary tumors, also known as metastatic tumors, spread to the brain from other parts of the body. Regardless of the tumor type, radiotherapy can be used as a primary treatment, adjuvant therapy after surgery, or palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. The primary goal of Radiotherapy for brain tumors is to deliver a precise and effective dose of radiation to the tumor site while sparing surrounding healthy brain tissue. To achieve this, a comprehensive treatment plan is developed based on various factors, such as the tumor's location, size, grade, and the patient's overall health condition. The first step in radiotherapy for brain tumors is treatment planning. This involves imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to precisely locate the tumor and determine its size and shape. Advanced imaging technologies, such as functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging, can provide additional information about the tumor's proximity to critical brain structures and help in devising optimal treatment strategies. Once the tumor has been accurately delineated, the radiation oncologist, in collaboration with a team of medical physicists and dosimetrists, develops a treatment plan that defines the radiation dose, treatment schedule, and the angles from which radiation beams will be delivered. The aim is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. There are several Radiotherapy techniques used for brain tumors. Conformal radiotherapy (CRT) uses three-dimensional imaging to shape radiation beams to the precise dimensions of the tumor, thus reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) takes it a step further by using computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver radiation beams of varying intensity, sculpting the dose distribution to conform to complex tumor shapes. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), on the other hand, delivers a highly focused, single high-dose radiation treatment to the tumor using multiple intersecting beams. This technique is particularly effective for smaller tumors or those in delicate locations. During Radiotherapy sessions, patients are carefully positioned using immobilization devices to ensure reproducibility and accuracy. Radiation is typically delivered in daily fractions over several weeks to allow healthy tissues to repair while continuously damaging tumor cells. The total duration and number of sessions depend on various factors,including the tumor type, location, and the patient's overall health. Although radiotherapy is a targeted treatment, it can still affect surrounding healthy brain tissue. Common acute side effects may include fatigue, scalp irritation, temporary hair loss, and mild skin reactions. Depending on the tumor's location, there may be specific side effects such as temporary worsening of symptoms, headaches, nausea, or cognitive changes. However, these side effects are generally temporary and resolve after completion of treatment. A chitin derivative called chitosan is taken out of the shells of aquatic animals like lobsters, prawns and crabs. Due to its ability to prevent fat absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, Chitosan is a common ingredient in dietary supplements. Due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility, it is also utilised in a number of therapeutic applications. Due to its anticoagulant characteristics, it is utilised in hemostatic dressing to treat wounds. Long-term side effects of brain Radiotherapy are rare but can include radiation necrosis, which is the death of normal brain tissue due to radiation exposure. Advances in radiotherapy techniques, such as the use of proton therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, have helped minimize the risk of long-term side effects by precisely targeting the tumor and sparing healthy tissue.
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