Radiation Therapy: Benefits at a Glance |
Posted: July 20, 2018 |
Radiation therapy is a particular type of treatment protocol for cancer in which ionizing radiation is used to combat the uncontrolled or abnormal cell growth in the body. In general, this type of therapy is used for adjuvant or curative cancers. However, radiation therapy can also be employed as a palliative treatment to provide relief in cases wherein the chances of a complete cure is minimal. Radiation therapy alone or in combination with a surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy is used to combat malignant cancer in a majority of patients coming to treatment in India. This therapy is used to cure, control or relieve symptoms in patients and help them lead a healthy life. How does radiation therapy work?Radiation therapy is either given from outside(termed as external beam radiation therapy) or inside the body (brachytherapy). While in the former type of radiation therapy, a machine is used to direct radiation at the site of cancer and surrounding tissue, the latter category is a procedure wherein radioactive material is placed inside the patient's body. On the basis of the severity and nature of the tumor, patients with cancer are suggested to undergo one of the therapies as mentioned above. During the course of radiation therapy, the personnel need to wear protection gears to shield themselves from toxic radiation effects of the procedure. The personnel are asked to don aprons or movable shields that absorb radioactive rays to cut down the risks to a minimum. Internal radiation therapy:Internal radiation therapy is an umbrella term that includes intracavitary, interstitial and systemic treatments. During intracavitary treatment, gamma rays are emitted from the radioactive source which is directed into a cavity in a desirable applicator. The applicator is normally inserted in the operating room under general anesthesia. Until the patient returns to the operating room, the radioisotope is not inserted into the applicator. This particular type of radiation therapy is performed on patients who are suffering from uterine or cervical cancers. Systemic radiation method is used in the form of radioactive iodine for the treatment of thyroid cancer. External radiation therapy:External radiation therapy is a type of procedure in which radiation is delivered with the help of Kilo-Voltage or megavoltage machines. These machines are used to aim high-energy rays or beams into the tumor's site from outside the body. The set machines used for producing such beams are called as linear accelerator or linac. This type of treatment protocol is used on patients during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center. Since these modern machines can focus the radiation better causing less damage to normal tissues, the doctors can use higher doses of radiation. What types of cancer can be treated with radiation therapy?Radiation therapy is used to treat cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, eye, and certain types of thyroid cancer. Are there any side-effects?Radiation therapy can involve a few side-effects including, hair loss, fatigue, dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling of skin. In major prostate cancer cases, radiation therapy can cause impotence and infertility. Radiation therapy can be successfully used as a reliable cancer treatment in India to treat a variety of cancers at present.
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