Prim. Prof. Dr Hans Geinitz
Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr Hans Geinitz, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Linz Barmherzige Schwestern Hospital | Photo: Ordensklinikum Linz
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Successful cancer therapy: progress for a better quality of life.

Cancer therapy, radiotherapy, radiooncology

Radiotherapy is an effective method for the targeted destruction of tumour cells. Prof Hans Geinitz compares it to a surgical procedure.

In recent years, it has become much more efficient, as the case of Franz Rechberger shows. After ten radiotherapy sessions and immunotherapy, his tumour was successfully contained, giving him back his quality of life.

Modern radiotherapy: individualised treatment for better chances of recovery

Around 65,000 radiotherapy sessions are carried out at the Ordensklinikum Linz every year, making it the largest radiotherapy department in Upper Austria. Alongside surgery and medication, radiotherapy is a central component of cancer treatment, often for breast cancer (25%), prostate cancer (17%), bone metastases and lung cancer (8% each). Two thirds of treatments are curative, the rest are palliative.

The radiotherapy specifically destroys the DNA of tumour cells. An individualised plan is drawn up for each patient and the actual treatment is painless. It is often combined with other forms of therapy and can be carried out before or after surgery. The abdominal area is particularly sensitive, as the intestines can be easily damaged. Radiotherapy near the heart also poses a challenge.

Franz Rechberger was diagnosed with a tumour on his parotid gland after his retirement. Two years after several operations and radiotherapy sessions, a cardiac metastasis appeared that impaired his heart function. Thanks to further radiotherapy, his breathing improved and the tumour is stable. Today, Franz Rechberger feels well again, enjoys spending time in nature as a hunter and makes sure he leads a healthy lifestyle, as he emphasises.

New approaches in radiation oncology: higher doses and targeted tumour irradiation

Radiotherapy is constantly evolving. In the past, almost all tumours were irradiated with the same dose per session. Today, there is more and more data showing that higher doses per session with fewer sessions can be just as effective, and in some cases even gentler for patients. Short treatment regimens increase convenience and allow radiotherapy to be better integrated into other treatment cycles such as chemotherapy. Another innovation is targeted inhomogeneous radiotherapy, in which certain areas of the tumour are irradiated more intensively. This technique is mainly used for large tumours where uniform irradiation with high doses is not possible. These new approaches offer promising prospects for more individualised and efficient cancer treatment.

#schongenial how treatment methods are evolving.

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