What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is a technique that is used to kill cancer cells to prevent cancer spread, reduce cancer or completely kill cancer. This treatment is commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of cancer and there are a number of different types of radiation therapy. Patients who have undergone radiation therapy usually do under the supervision of a radiologist and oncologist. In external radiation, the focused beam is used to supply radiation to the area, while internal therapy involves ingesting or implantation of radioactive substances that delivers radiation to the inside of the body.
Radiation therapy works by damage to DNA cancer cells, so they cannot continue to multiply. It can be used as a separate treatment or as an adjunct treatment along with options such as chemotherapy. In determining what treatment, the doctor usually assesses the cancer stage, its location, the reaction of similar cancer in other patients to various therapies and the patient's own position in therapy and treatment.
Radiation therapy sessions occur several times during weeks or months. It is necessary to have multiple sessions for supplying small doses to allow the body to recover, and ensure that all cancer cells are killed. Depending on the patient's situation, therapy may be supplied on an outpatient basis, in which case the patient travels to the hospital for treatment or bed to the patient who lives in the hospital.
The treatment itself is painless, but can cause a number of side effects, including fatigue, nausea, hair loss and skin reactions. Radiation can also cause cancer and in some cases patients experience secondary malignancy due to radiation therapy. Combined with other treatments used to manage cancer, radiation therapy for the patient and his / her support team can be exhausting.
doctors can recommend radiation therapy for different situations. In palliative care where cancer is incurable can be adviceAury therapy used to control the size of cancer to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with growth. Palliative care can be used when the patient wants to reduce aggressive treatment, or when the patient recognizes that cancer is incurable, so aggressive treatment is unproductive. This therapy can also be used in the treatment and treatment of cancer growth.