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Other
Treatment Options
Systemic Radiation Therapy
Using radioactive isotopes to treat certain
cancers is called systemic radiation therapy. The radioactive
isotopes may be swallowed, given intravenously or injected into the
body. For example, radioactive iodine (I-131) capsules are given to
patients to treat some types of thyroid cancer. Another example is
the use of intravenous radioactive strontium to treat pain due to
cancer that has spread to the bone.
Radioimmunotherapy
Recent research has focused on the use of radioactive monoclonal
antibodies, also called radiolabeled antibodies, to deliver doses of
radiation directly to a tumor. This process is known as
radioimmunotherapy. Antibodies are made by the body in response to
the presence of antigens (substances recognized as foreign by the
immune system). Large quantities of particular types of antibodies,
called monoclonal antibodies, can be made in the laboratory. These
monoclonal antibodies can be attached to radioactive isotopes in a
process called radiolabeling. When injected into the body, the
radiolabled antibodies circulate in the bloodstream until they
locate and bind to the surface of cancer cells. The cancer cells are
then destroyed by the radiation carried in the antibody.
Intraoperative Radiation
Therapy
Radiation therapy given during surgery is called intraoperative
radiation therapy. Intraoperative radiation therapy is helpful when
vital normal organs are dangerously close to the tumor. During an
operation, a surgeon temporarily moves the normal organs out of the
way so radiation can be applied directly to the tumor. This allows
your radiation oncologist to avoid exposing those organs to
radiation. Intraoperative radiation can be given as external beam
therapy or as brachytherapy.
Investigational
Radiation Therapies
Several specialized types of radiation therapy are available in a
limited number of facilities in the United States. These treatments
are currently being studied to determine their best use. You can
discuss with your radiation oncologist whether these therapies may
benefit you.
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