Radiotherapists treat mostly patients with malignant disease. Radiation plays an important therapeutic role in many oncological conditions.

Solid tumors, leukemia, and lymphoma in adults and children can be treated with radiation therapy. With some tumors, such as prostate carcinoma and skin tumors, complete remission can be achieved with radiation therapy. Following breast-preserving surgery for breast cancer, radiation is standard therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Postoperative radiation is also indicated in some brain, ENT, or gynecological tumors.

Radiotherapy is also sometimes used to help reduce the size of the tumor before surgery (neoadjuvant radiation), for example in rectal carcinoma.

Additional (consolidating) radiation may be indicated after chemotherapy, for example in lung carcinoma or lymphoma.

In order to improve outcome in some tumours, such as rectal, oesophageal, or bronchial (lung) carcinoma, radiation may be combined with chemotherapy (radiochemotherapy).

Even if a cure is no longer possible, palliative radiotherapy often leads to reduction of symptoms and improves quality of life. Radiation has proved helpful in painful bone metastases and in preventing neurological complications in vertebral or brain metastases.

Modern Radiotherapy is performed in accordance with international guidelines and recognized therapeutic principles, always guided by the patient’s individual circumstances.