Sarcoma treatment with radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy sarcoma cells. It can be used together with chemo drugs for complex therapy. The treatment course requires careful preparation and detailed planning. Before starting, the patient usually receives a CT scan. Visualization of the tumor is necessary to identify the boundaries of exposure to ionizing rays. Radiotherapy might be performed before or after surgery or as the primary treatment. Before surgery, the goal is to reduce the sarcoma's size to make removing it easier. If the radiation is successful, the sarcoma operation will be less extensive. After surgery, sometimes doctors turn to radiotherapy to destroy the remaining cancer cells and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Irradiation usually begins no earlier than four weeks later, when the patient's body has recovered and can last up to 7 weeks. The exact time is determined based on the sarcoma's type, size, and location. Radiotherapy can also be used as the primary treatment method. For example, when diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. But oncologists often turn to it when the operation cannot be performed due to the tumor's location. Radiation, in this case, gives a chance to control sarcoma, slow down its growth, and weaken the symptoms.