Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy

Radiation oncology uses radiotherapy to treat selected cancers or relieve cancer-related symptoms. It may be used alone or alongside surgery and systemic treatment. MPGCARE coordinates records, consultations and travel with Medical Park and Liv Hospital in Türkiye; the hospital radiation oncology team determines the indication, technique and schedule.

These examples explain possible assessment pathways, not a universal test package or a promise that every technique is offered at every center. The treatment goal, likely benefits, alternatives and short- and long-term risks are discussed individually.

Conditions assessed by radiation oncology

Condition	Records and symptoms to discuss	Selected investigations and treatment approach
Breast cancer	A confirmed diagnosis and breast/axillary surgery or biopsy reports.	Pathology, receptor findings and indicated staging review. Radiotherapy may follow surgery; treatment area and benefit depend on individual recurrence risk.
Lung cancer	Biopsy results, chest images, breathing symptoms and previous treatment.	CT and indicated PET-CT/brain imaging, pathology and respiratory assessment. Radiation may be definitive, combined with systemic treatment or used for symptom relief.
Prostate cancer	PSA history, biopsy grade, urinary symptoms and previous treatment.	Risk/stage assessment using pathology and selected MRI or staging studies. External radiation or selected brachytherapy may be considered, sometimes with hormone therapy.
Head and neck cancers	Persistent swallowing/voice problems, a neck lump or confirmed biopsy.	ENT examination, biopsy and selected CT/MRI/PET-CT. Radiation may be combined with surgery/systemic therapy; dental, swallowing and nutritional review can be important.
Rectal cancer	Endoscopy/biopsy findings, pelvic images and bowel symptoms.	Pelvic MRI and selected staging tests. Radiation may form part of a multidisciplinary sequence; not every rectal tumor requires it.
Cervical cancer	Biopsy, gynecologic examination and any prior surgery.	Selected MRI and systemic staging, pathology and clinical review. External radiation and brachytherapy may be combined with other treatment when indicated.
Brain tumors and selected brain metastases	MRI, neurological symptoms, pathology where available and previous surgery/radiation.	Specialist imaging/pathology review. Focused or broader radiation is selected according to tumor type, number/location and overall care plan.
Painful bone metastases	Pain, existing cancer diagnosis, images and any weakness or fracture concern.	Clinical and imaging assessment; radiation may help symptoms. Instability or cord compression may require urgent surgical/oncology assessment as well.

Radiotherapy methods and planning

Method	What it means	What is assessed
External-beam radiotherapy	Radiation is delivered from a machine to a planned body region.	Planning CT and selected additional images guide the target and normal-tissue limits. External-beam treatment does not make the patient radioactive.
IMRT / VMAT and image guidance	Techniques shape/modulate treatment delivery; imaging helps confirm positioning.	The radiation team selects the technique. Availability, suitability and expected benefit must be confirmed for the named center.
SRS / SBRT	Focused treatment for selected well-defined brain or body targets.	Size, location, motion and proximity to sensitive structures determine suitability. “Radiosurgery” is radiation treatment; it is not an incision-based operation.
Brachytherapy	A radiation source is positioned in or near the target for selected cancers.	The procedure, anesthesia and source type vary. Temporary or permanent sources may require specific contact precautions; follow the center’s written instructions.

Diagnosis and staging are different from treatment planning

Bring pathology, dated imaging/DICOM files, operation reports and systemic-treatment records. Diagnostic tests establish the disease and stage; a planning CT/simulation maps the intended radiation treatment. Some images or pathology may need review or repetition. Send previous radiotherapy plans, dose summaries and DICOM treatment data when available; repeat radiation requires careful specialist assessment.

Before simulation and the first session

Tell the team about possible pregnancy, implants/pacemakers, allergies, kidney problems, medicines and prior radiation. Ask about fertility preservation before treatment where relevant. Follow the specific preparation for contrast, bladder/bowel filling or fasting. Masks and supports help reproduce the same position; discuss claustrophobia, pain or difficulty lying still beforehand.

How many sessions will I need?

The prescribed dose and number of sessions depend on the diagnosis, goal, treatment area and other therapy. A short course is not automatically better. Confirm the planning interval, treatment dates and necessary stay before booking travel. If you cannot attend or feel unwell, contact the team promptly so they can advise; do not change the schedule independently.

Skin care, fatigue and daily life

Ask the treatment team which skin products and washing methods are suitable for the treated area, and protect it from irritation and sun exposure. Report redness, broken skin or worsening pain. Balance activity with rest and seek support for fatigue. Continue medicines as directed and tell the team about supplements or herbal products before taking them.

Eating, swallowing and treatment-area symptoms

Side effects depend on the body region and can continue or appear after the course ends. Head/neck treatment may require mouth, dental and swallowing support; pelvic treatment may affect bowel or urinary function. Report reduced intake, weight loss, diarrhea or painful swallowing early. The team may arrange dietetic advice, symptom medicines or other support.

Important reminders for families

With the patient’s consent, help record symptoms, medicines and appointments. Ask who to contact outside working hours. Ordinary contact after external-beam treatment is safe because it leaves no radiation source in the body. Brachytherapy and radioactive medicines have different rules; obtain personalized written advice about visitors, pregnancy/children and bodily fluids where applicable.

When should we seek urgent care?

New limb weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control or severe back pain in a person with cancer may signal spinal cord compression and needs urgent local assessment. Severe breathlessness, major bleeding, seizures, collapse or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms also need emergency care. Fever during combined cancer treatment follows the oncology team’s urgent plan; do not wait for the next session or international travel.

Follow-up and the written proposal

Ask how and when response will be checked, which late effects need monitoring and who coordinates local follow-up. Request a written proposal covering consultation, planning, technique, sessions, accompanying treatment and supportive care, with exclusions and possible changes after assessment. Cancer control and symptom relief cannot be guaranteed.

Appointments and transfers

MPGCARE helps confirm the specialist center, review requirements and written costs. Complimentary Sarp–Trabzon and airport–hospital transfers can be coordinated where appropriate. Routine transport does not replace emergency or medically supervised transport. The treating team advises when travel is suitable.