INNOVATIONS IN THE FIELD OF RADIOTHERAPY FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Abstract

Cancer is one of the causes of death globally, and radiotherapy is an essential treatment in controlling the pathology. However, its side effects can negatively impact the quality of life. The objective of this article is to investigate technical innovations applied to radiotherapy with the potential to provide a better quality of life for cancer patients undergoing this therapeutic modality. The methodology consisted of a search in the PubMed and Scielo databases, with the descriptors “cancer radiotherapy” and “quality of life”, focusing on controlled studies, meta-analyses, and reviews from the last five years. In the end, 12 articles were analyzed. Studies have demonstrated promising techniques to improve the quality of life under more effective and less toxic treatment. These include multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, biomarkers, artificial intelligence, radiosensitizing agents, thermal and hyperspectral imaging, herbal creams, topical timolol, and continued psychotherapy. In conclusion, despite scientific advances, more studies and measures are needed to enable the application of updated practices to focus efforts on ensuring a better quality of life, with patient-centered care in its various aspects, not only in the pathology itself.