Radiotherapy in oncology is a method of treating tumor diseases using ionizing radiation. Its consequences are much less than the benefits that it brings in the fight against the tumor. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of half of cancer patients.
Radiotherapy (radiotherapy) is a method of treatment that uses a stream of ionized radiation. These can be gamma rays, beta rays, or x-rays. Such types of rays are capable of actively influencing cancer cells, leading to disruption of their structure, mutation and, ultimately, death. Although exposure to ionized radiation is harmful to he althy cells in the body, they are less susceptible to radiation, allowing them to survive despite exposure. In oncology, radiation therapy has a negative effect on the expansion of tumor processes and slows down the growth of malignant tumors. Oncology after radiation therapy becomes less of a problem, as in many cases there is an improvement in the patient's condition.
Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy makes it possible to achieve completerecovery of patients. While radiation therapy is sometimes used as the sole treatment, it is more commonly used in combination with other cancer treatments. Radiation therapy in oncology (reviews from patients are generally positive) has now become a separate medical area.
Types of radiotherapy
Remote therapy - a type of treatment in which the radiation source is located outside the patient's body, at some distance. Remote therapy can be preceded by computed tomography, which makes it possible to plan and simulate the operation in a three-dimensional form, which makes it possible to more accurately influence the tissues affected by the tumor with rays.
Brachytherapy is a method of radiation therapy in which the radiation source is located in the immediate vicinity of the tumor or in its tissues. Among the advantages of this technique is the reduction of the negative effects of radiation on he althy tissues. In addition, with a point effect, it is possible to increase the radiation dose.
To achieve the best results, in preparation for radiation therapy, the required dose of radiation exposure is calculated and planned.
Side effects
Radiation therapy in oncology, the consequences of which a person feels for a long time, can still save a life.
The response of each person to radiation therapy is individual. Therefore, all side effectswhich may occur is very difficult to predict. Here are the most common symptoms:
- Loss of appetite. Most patients complain of poor appetite. In this case, it is necessary to eat food in small quantities, but often. The issue of nutrition in case of lack of appetite can be discussed with your doctor. The body undergoing radiation therapy needs energy and nutrients.
- Nausea. One of the main causes of loss of appetite is nausea. Most often, this symptom can be found in patients who undergo radiation therapy in the abdominal cavity. This may also cause vomiting. The doctor should be informed about the situation immediately. The patient may need to be prescribed antiemetics.
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea often occurs as a result of radiation therapy. In the event of diarrhea, it is necessary to drink as much liquid as possible to prevent dehydration. This symptom should also be reported to your doctor.
- Weakness. During the course of radiation therapy, patients significantly reduce their activity, experiencing apathy and feeling unwell. This situation is faced by almost all patients who have undergone a course of radiation therapy. Visits to the hospital, which periodically need to be made, are especially difficult for patients. For this period of time, you should not plan things that take away physical and moral strength, you should leave the maximum time for rest.
- Skin problems. 1-2 weeks after the start of radiation therapy, the skin in the areaexposure to radiation, it begins to turn red and peel off. Sometimes patients complain of itching and pain. In this case, you should use ointments (on the recommendation of a radiologist), Panthenol aerosol, creams and lotions for baby skin care, and refuse cosmetics. Rubbing irritated skin is strictly prohibited. The area of the body where skin irritation has occurred should be washed only with cool water, temporarily refusing to take baths. It is necessary to save the skin from the influence of direct sunlight and wear clothes using natural fabrics. These steps will help relieve skin irritation and reduce pain.
Reduce side effects
After your radiation therapy, your doctor will give you recommendations on how to behave at home, taking into account the characteristics of your case, in order to minimize side effects.
Anyone who knows what radiation therapy is in oncology, the consequences of this treatment are also well aware of. Those patients who are being treated with radiation therapy for a tumor disease should adhere to the doctor's recommendations, promoting successful treatment and trying to improve their well-being.
Main recommendations:
- More time to rest and sleep. Treatment requires a lot of extra energy, and you can tire quickly. The state of general weakness sometimes lasts another 4-6 weeks after the treatment is already over.
- Eat well to prevent weight loss.
- Do not wear tight clothing withtight collars or belts in exposed areas. It is better to prefer old suits in which you feel comfortable.
- Be sure to inform your doctor about all the medications you take so that he can take this into account in the treatment.
Performing radiotherapy
The main direction of radiation therapy is to provide the maximum impact on the tumor formation, minimally affecting other tissues. To achieve this, the doctor needs to determine exactly where the tumor process is located so that the direction and depth of the beam can achieve their goals. This area is called the radiation field. When remote irradiation is performed, a label is applied to the skin, which indicates the area of radiation exposure. All neighboring areas and other parts of the body are protected by lead screens. The session during which radiation is performed lasts several minutes, and the number of such sessions is determined by the radiation dose, which, in turn, depends on the nature of the tumor and the type of tumor cells. During the session, the patient does not experience discomfort. During the procedure, the patient is alone in the room. The doctor controls the course of the procedure through a special window or using a video camera, being in the next room.
According to the type of neoplasm, radiation therapy is either used as an independent method of treatment, or is part of a complex therapy together with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is usedlocally for the purpose of irradiating certain parts of the body. Often, it contributes to a noticeable reduction in the size of the tumor or leads to a complete cure.
Duration
The time for which the course of radiation therapy is calculated is determined by the specifics of the disease, the doses and the method of radiation used. Gamma therapy often lasts 6-8 weeks. During this time, the patient manages to take 30-40 procedures. Most often, radiation therapy does not require hospitalization and is well tolerated. Some indications require radiation therapy in a hospital setting.
The duration of the course of treatment and the dose of radiation are directly dependent on the type of disease and the degree of neglect of the process. The duration of treatment with intracavitary irradiation lasts much less. It may consist of fewer treatments and rarely lasts more than four days.
Indications for use
Radiation therapy in oncology is used in the treatment of tumors of any etiology.
Among them:
- brain cancer;
- breast cancer;
- cervical cancer;
- laryngeal cancer;
- lung cancer;
- pancreatic cancer;
- prostate cancer;
- spine cancer;
- skin cancer;
- soft tissue sarcoma;
- stomach cancer.
Irradiation is used in the treatment of lymphoma and leukemia.
Sometimes, radiotherapy can be given as a preventive measure without evidence of cancer. This procedure is to preventcancer development.
Radiation dose
Radiation dose is the amount of ionizing radiation absorbed by body tissues. Previously, the rad was the unit of measure for radiation dose. Gray is now serving this purpose. 1 Gray equals 100 rads.
Different tissues tend to withstand different doses of radiation. So, the liver is able to withstand almost twice as much radiation as the kidneys. If the total dose is divided into parts and irradiated to the affected organ day after day, this will increase the damage to cancer cells and reduce he althy tissue.
Treatment planning
Modern oncologist knows everything about radiation therapy in oncology.
There are many types of radiation and radiation methods in the doctor's arsenal. Therefore, properly planned treatment is the key to recovery.
In external beam radiation therapy, the oncologist uses simulation to find the area to be treated. In simulation, the patient is placed on a table and the clinician defines one or more radiation ports. During the simulation, it is also possible to perform a CT scan or other diagnostic method to determine the direction of the radiation.
Irradiation zones are marked with special markers indicating the direction of radiation.
According to the type of radiation therapy chosen, the patient is offered special corsets that help to fix various parts of the body, eliminating their movement during the procedure. Sometimes special protective screens are used to help protect neighboring tissues.
Baccording to the result of the simulation, the radiation therapists will decide on the required dose of radiation, the method of delivery and the number of sessions.
Diet
Dietary advice will help you avoid or reduce the side effects of your treatment. This is especially important for radiation therapy in the pelvis and abdomen. Radiation therapy and cancer diet have a number of features.
You should drink plenty of fluids, up to 12 glasses a day. If the liquid has a high sugar content, it should be diluted with water.
Meals are fractional, 5-6 times a day in small doses. Food should be easy to digest: foods containing coarse fibers, lactose and fats should be excluded. It is advisable to follow such a diet for another 2 weeks after therapy. Then you can gradually introduce foods with fibers: rice, bananas, apple juice, puree.
Rehab
The use of radiation therapy affects both tumor and he althy cells. It is especially harmful to cells that divide rapidly (mucous membranes, skin, bone marrow). Irradiation generates free radicals in the body that can harm the body.
Work is underway to find a way to make radiation therapy more targeted so that it only affects tumor cells. A Gamma Knife was introduced to treat head and neck tumors. It provides a very precise effect on small tumors.
Despite this, almost everyone who has received radiation therapy suffers from radiation sickness to varying degrees. Pain, swelling,nausea, vomiting, hair loss, anemia - such symptoms eventually cause radiation therapy in oncology. Treatment and rehabilitation of patients after radiation sessions is a big problem.
For rehabilitation, the patient needs rest, sleep, fresh air, good nutrition, the use of immune system stimulants, detoxification agents.
In addition to the he alth problems that are generated by a serious illness and its harsh treatment, patients experience depression. It is often necessary to include sessions with a psychologist as part of rehabilitation measures. All these activities will help overcome the difficulties that radiation therapy has caused in oncology. Reviews of patients who have undergone a course of procedures speak of the undoubted benefits of the technique, despite the side effects.
