Understanding Radiotherapy Mechanisms

Radiotherapy employs high-energy radiation, such as X-rays and charged particles, to target and eliminate cancer cells by damaging their DNA. This process hampers the cancer cells' ability to divide and triggers their death, a phenomenon that can continue for weeks following treatment. While radiotherapy is designed to maximize tumor destruction, it may also temporarily harm healthy cells; however, most healthy cells can recover after treatment. The challenges lie in precisely targeting tumors to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which continues to be a focal point for medical physicists.