Rigi10™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis
Also Known As
EBRT, external radiation therapy, teletherapy, radiation treatment, external radiation, XRT
Definition
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a form of radiation treatment that directs high-energy rays from outside the body at cancerous tissue. It uses a machine called a linear accelerator (or historically a cobalt-60 source) to deliver precisely targeted radiation beams to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.1 2 EBRT induces DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, cytogenetic damage, apoptosis, and senescence in cancer cells, thereby blocking their ability to proliferate further and ultimately causing cell death.3 The radiation beams are invisible and cannot be felt when passing through the skin to reach the cancer.4 This treatment modality is typically administered during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center over a course of several weeks, with patients usually receiving treatment five days a week (Monday through Friday).5
Clinical Context
External beam radiation therapy is used to treat many types of cancer, either as a primary treatment or in combination with other modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.1 2 It is particularly effective for treating localized tumors and can be used with curative intent or for palliative purposes to relieve symptoms in advanced disease.3
Patient selection for EBRT depends on several factors including cancer type, stage, location, patient’s overall health, and treatment goals.4 The treatment planning process involves sophisticated imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to precisely map the tumor and surrounding tissues.1 5
Several technological advancements have increased the efficacy of EBRT, including:
- Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT): Uses three-dimensional imaging to match the radiation beams to the shape of the tumor, reducing damage to normal tissues.1 5
- Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT): Further refines 3DCRT by changing the strength (intensity) of some beams in certain areas, allowing stronger doses to target specific parts of the tumor while lessening damage to nearby tissues.1 5
- Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT): Uses imaging scans before each treatment session to adjust the position of the patient or the aim of radiation beams as needed, ensuring precise targeting.1 5
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): Delivers large doses of radiation to small tumor areas with extreme precision, often in fewer sessions.1 5
- Particle therapy: Uses protons or other particles instead of photons, allowing more precise energy deposition at the tumor site with less damage to surrounding tissues.1 3
Expected outcomes vary based on cancer type, stage, and treatment intent, but EBRT has demonstrated significant efficacy in local tumor control and improved survival rates for many cancer types.2 3 Side effects can include fatigue, skin reactions at the treatment site, and specific effects related to the area being treated, though modern techniques aim to minimize these adverse effects.4 5