Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the treatment of disease using penetrating
beams of high-energy waves or streams of particles called radiation.
Radiation in high doses kills cells or keeps them from growing and
dividing. The goal of radiation is to kill the cancer cells with
as little risk as possible to normal cells.
Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery,
chemotherapy or biological therapy. Sometimes radiation is used
before surgery to shrink a tumor. After surgery, it may be used
to stop the growth of remaining cancer cells. Radiation often brings
relief by shrinking tumors, reducing pressure, bleeding pain or
other cancer symptoms. Risks include damage to normal cells. Treatment
is administered by a radiation therapy team that includes a:
- Radiation oncologist– designs treatment
- Radiation physicist – monitors equipment and dosage
- Dosimetrist – calculates number and length of treatments
- Radiation therapy nurse – provides nursing care, helps
educate patients about treatment and side effects
- Radiation therapist – runs equipment and helps set up
patients for treatment
Typical Course
After a physical examination and consultation, patients receive
a treatment simulation. During simulation, the patient lies on a
radiation treatment table in the exact position he or she will be
in during each treatment. The radiation therapist makes temporary
marks on the skin to indicate the treatment area and takes X-rays
from two separate angles. A radiation technologist obtains measurements
and performs calculations to determine the amount of radiation.
A CT scan may be obtained to assist with these treatment-planning
calculations. The entire simulation process usually takes between
30 and 45 minutes. Treatment typically begins about five days after
simulation. Radiation treatment sessions typically take approximately
five minutes, and are given Monday through Friday with Saturdays
and Sundays off, over six weeks. The radiation oncologist meets
with patients once a week to discuss care during radiation treatment,
as well as any other issues of interest to the patient. When radiation treatment is completed, the patient is evaluated
regularly by all of the treating physicians. The typical course
of follow-up includes an evaluation six weeks after completion of
radiation therapy, and every six months during the first year. Side Effects
Unlike chemotherapy, radiation does not cause hair loss or vomiting.
Side effects sometimes include redness and swelling of the skin,
fatigue and mild swelling of areas around the treatment area. Fast Facts about Radiation Therapy
- Radiation treatments are painless.
- External radiation treatment does not make you radioactive.
- Treatments are usually scheduled every day except Saturday
and Sunday.
- You need to allow 30 minutes for each treatment session, although
the treatment itself only takes a few minutes.
- It’s important to get plenty of rest and to eat a well-balanced
diet during the course of your radiation therapy.
- Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated.
- Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary,
and they vary depending on the area of the body that is being
treated.
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