About one half of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy during the course of treatments. Radiation therapy uses a high energy radiation to shrink cancer cells, or kill them or shrink tumors.
Radiation has changed through the years since Cobalt, not being the only radioactive material being used. Sometimes radiation is used by a machine which much looks like a Cat Scan, this is called, An External Beam radiation therapy. Sometimes, a radioactive material is placed in the body, near cancer cells
. This is called internal radiation therapy. Sometimes a radioactive isotope is used. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive iodine which travels in the blood to kill the cancer cells.There are always risks involved with using any Radiation therapy. Radiation can also damage normal cells, leading to side effects. The amount of radiation that normal tissue can safely receive is known for all the parts of the body. Thankfully, doctors use this knowledge to help them decide where to aim radiation during the treatments.
A Radiation Oncologist beings treatment with simulation. During this process, imaging with Cat Scans it shows the location of a tumor and also, the normal areas. Your skin may be marked with small points that target the area to be treated. Small tattoo like dots. This process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours and is an essential part of treatment planning.
This can be a lengthy process and requires patience from the patient. However, most Radiation treatments itself, only take 1 to 5 minutes.
Sometimes Radiation is given to try to cure, and sometimes, to try to reduce symptoms of a cancer. In the hopes to improve the quality of life.
The type of radiation therapy prescribed by a radiation oncologist depends on many factors, including:
The type of cancer.
The size of the cancer.
The cancer’s location in the body.
How close the cancer is to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation.
How far into the body the radiation needs to travel.
The patient’s general health and medical history.
Whether the patient will have other types of cancer treatment.
Other factors, such as the patient’s age and other medical conditions.
All in all, Radiation therapy is never easy but, it is doable.
Patients who receive most types of external beam radiation therapy (a machine) usually have to travel to the hospital or an outpatient facility up to 5 days a week for several weeks. One dose (a single fraction) of the total planned dose of radiation is given each day. Occasionally, two treatments a day are given. To get the greatest benefit from therapy, you must go for all of your scheduled treatments. Skipping or delaying treatments will reduce the effectiveness of radiation treatment. Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated and needs special care, especially while bathing.
Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy regardless of which part of the body is treated. Nausea with or without vomiting is common when the abdomen is treated and occurs sometimes when the brain is treated.
Late side effects of radiation therapy may or may not occur:
Fibrosis (the replacement of normal tissue with scar tissue, leading to restricted movement of the affected area).
Damage to the bowels, causing diarrhea and bleeding.
Memory loss.
Infertility (inability to have a child).
A Secondary Cancer
Life can seem bleak while on Radiation, but if you take it one day at a time, it works.