Radiotherapy: A Better Alternative To Robotic Surgery

In India, several people are diagnosed with cancer every year. The primary factor causing its emergence is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells, which invade other bodily areas and may cause organ failure or even death. 

Cancer is regarded as a genetically inherited disease since it results from changes in an individual’s genes. Cancer is mostly not discovered in its early stages, elevating its severity and complexity and making it more severe. 

If you or your loved ones have been diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Sridhar P.S one of the leading Cyberknife specialist in India will recommend appropriate treatment depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, type, stage of cancer, and general health.

There are various invasive and non-invasive cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell therapy. 

Oncologists prefer surgery and radiotherapy as the most effective methods for treating cancer among these invasive and non-invasive treatments.

Radiotherapy is one of the primary cancer treatments. Regarding imaging techniques, treatment procedures, and information technology, radiation oncology has advanced progressively.

With more than 26 years of expertise, Prof. Dr. Sridhar Papaiah Susheela is one of the leading radiation oncologist in India. He employs state-of-the-art techniques in eye precision radiotherapy, such as IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, and Tomotherapy, and targeted therapy, including chemotherapy and biotherapy.

Now, let’s have an Overview of Cancer Surgery

Surgery is a standard treatment option for removing malignant tumors or other body areas affected by cancer. Most cancer patients experience anxiety when they learn about surgical treatments. Still, doctors believe that by completely removing the afflicted area, they can stop the cancerous cells from spreading and causing more harm.

Although most surgeries are done manually today, robotic surgery is also preferred because it is simpler and safer. 

Robotic surgery involves a machine entering the body to remove tumors or cancerous cells. Compared to surgery done manually, robotic surgery has fewer side effects. Depending on the patient’s health, the oncologist will decide which surgery is the most suitable option.

Doctors will prescribe specific medications to help the body recuperate after surgery, along with regular checkups to prevent complications. To improve the patient’s health following surgery, it is also advisable to have adequate bed rest for at least a few weeks. Supportive care and rehabilitation services may also be offered for the patient’s emotional health.

Overview of Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy, often known as radiotherapy, is regarded as the second most common and secure method of treating cancer patients in India. 

High-frequency energy beams are used in radiation therapy to eliminate malignant cells and prevent their spread to other body areas and damage. 

In contrast to surgery, radiation therapy does not cause severe pain to the patient. Following radiation therapy, it is possible to have specific typical side effects like mild discomfort, exhaustion, anxiety, skin rashes, etc.

Mostly, oncologists recommend radiation therapy in India when cancer is in the first or early stage. Radiation therapy is typically preferred for children since they might be unable to handle the surgery’s pain. 

After considering all the benefits and drawbacks of the available treatment options, doctors will choose the optimal one to combat the disease.

Let’s look at the,

Advantages of Radiotherapy 

• The main benefit of radiotherapy is that it may help reduce cancer growth. 
• For patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, radiotherapy may help to facilitate surgery.
• Typically, you won’t need to stay in the hospital. 
• If you feel up to it, you can continue your normal activities. 
• Radiotherapy can help manage symptoms and decrease discomfort if you have advanced-stage cancer.

Risks & Side Effects of Radiotherapy 

The side effects of radiotherapy can include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

You can experience side effects from the chemotherapy if you receive chemoradiotherapy. There are treatments for managing side effects.

You may need to visit the hospital five days a week for several weeks for treatment. However, this may vary.

Overview of Robotic Cancer Surgery

For some tumors, open surgery may not be the best course of action. With robotic surgery, a patient’s cancer is removed by specially trained surgeons using robotic technology, which includes small surgical instruments and a computer console.

The majority of robotic surgeries are laparoscopic. During the surgery, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope, a slender instrument containing a light and a tiny camera, through small incisions made in the abdominal area. 

The surgeon can see inside without making larger incisions thanks to the laparoscope’s ability to relay images back to a video monitor.

Robotic surgery, also known as robot-assisted surgery, involves 3-D imaging and robot assistance to execute complex surgeries more precisely than traditional methods.

Advantages of Robotic Cancer Surgery

• Fewer minor cuts
• Fewer scars
• Less bleeding and pain
• Short hospital stays

These advantages frequently become more noticeable with complex cancer surgeries.

Risks & Side Effects of Robotic Cancer Surgery

Risks and side effects associated with robotic surgery include the following:

• If your surgeon discovers something unexpected that requires an open procedure during the surgery, they might have to switch to it.
• There is a slight chance of side effects like bleeding, blood clots, infection, etc. 
• The risks are the same whether surgery is performed using robotic or traditional methods.
• Particularly with routine procedures, it can take as long as traditional surgery because the staff might need more time to set up the robot before each surgery.

Is It Better To Get Radiation Or Get Surgery?

The best course of action is to listen to the doctors treating you if you are unsure about the treatments you should choose. They can select the most effective treatment for you after considering several factors. You can always get a second opinion to determine what is most effective if you are still attempting to be convinced by your doctor’s recommendations.

Surgery and radiation are equally secure. Regarding side effects, having surgery is more likely to result in severe side effects than radiation therapy.

Depending on your health, your doctor may occasionally recommend a combination of different treatments to improve your recovery. It is always preferable to receive care from oncologists who can offer an unbiased evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is radiation therapy better than surgery?

A. Surgery and radiation are equally secure. Regarding side effects, having surgery is more likely to result in severe side effects than radiation therapy.

But the idea that there is only one “better” or “safer” option is untrue. Surgery or radiation therapy are typically equally effective options for long-term survival.

Q. Which is better, prostatectomy or radiation?

A. For men who want to avoid the adverse effects of surgery, such as urine leakage and erection issues, radiation may be a preferable option. It might be preferable for males with additional medical problems that make surgery too risky. You can avoid the risks of major surgery. 

According to research, radiation and surgery both effectively treat the condition. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, has recently gained popularity because it has fewer side effects.

Q. What is the success rate of radiation therapy?

A. Patients usually respond favorably to either brachytherapy or external beam radiation in the early stages of the disease. Success rates of 90% or greater can be attained with any strategy. Radiotherapy can be a very successful cancer treatment despite its side effects. Radiation therapy is a component of the treatment plan in four of every ten cancer cures.

Q. Is brachytherapy better than surgery?

A. Because the prostate remains in the body, radiotherapy methods like brachytherapy, while providing patients with a temporary cure, are typically significantly less effective than surgery at preventing prostate cancer recurrence.

For instance, brachytherapy carries a higher risk of urinary irritation, blockage, and rectal issues than surgery and is linked to increased incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Q. What are the disadvantages of radiotherapy?

A. Radiotherapy may cause your skin to become sore, change color, or become dry and itchy in certain patients. It may occasionally blister and peel. This often begins 1 to 2 weeks following the start of the treatment. If you experience any discomfort or changes in your skin, let your care team know.