Radiation therapy 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 to treat half of cancer patients.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) is a treatment method in which a stream of ionized radiation is used. It can be gamma rays, beta rays or x-rays. These types of rays can actively affect
cancer cells, leading to a violation of their structure, mutation and, ultimately, to death. Although exposure to ionized radiation is harmful to healthy cells in the body, their susceptibility to radiation is less, which allows them to survive despite irradiation. In oncology, radiation therapy negatively affects the expansion of tumor processes and slows the growth of malignant tumors. Oncology after radiation therapy becomes a lesser problem, since in many cases there is an improvement in the patient's condition.
Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy makes it possible to achieve a complete recovery of patients. Although radiation therapy is sometimes used as the only method of therapy, it is more often used in combination with other methods of combating cancer. Radiation therapy in oncology (patient reviews are generally positive) has become a separate medical field today.
Types of Radiation Therapy
Remote therapy is a type of treatment in which the radiation source is located outside the patient’s body at a certain distance.
Computed tomography, which makes it possible to plan and simulate an operation in a three-dimensional form
, can be preceded by distance therapy, which allows more accurate exposure to the tissues affected by the tumor.
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 can be called a decrease in the negative impact of radiation on healthy tissues. In addition, with a point exposure, it is possible to increase the radiation dose.
In order to achieve the best results, in preparation for radiation therapy, the necessary 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 on himself, is still able to save a life.
The reaction of each person to radiation therapy is individual. Therefore, all side effects that may occur are very difficult to predict. We list the most common symptoms:
- Decreased appetite. Most patients complain of poor appetite. 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 decreased appetite is nausea. Most often, this symptom can be found in patients who undergo radiation therapy in the abdominal area. Vomiting may also occur. A doctor should be informed about the situation immediately. Perhaps the patient will need the appointment of antiemetics.
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea often occurs as a result of radiation therapy. In case of diarrhea, it is necessary to use as much fluid 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 being in poor health. Almost all patients who have undergone radiation therapy face this situation. Particularly difficult for patients are visits to the hospital, which must be periodically performed. 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, which is in the zone of exposure to radiation, begins to redden and peel. Sometimes patients complain of itching and pain. In this case, ointments should be used (on the recommendation of a radiologist), Panthenol aerosol, creams and lotions for baby skin care, and cosmetics should be discarded. Rubbing irritated skin is strictly prohibited. The area of ​​the body where skin irritation occurred should be washed only with cool water, temporarily refusing to take baths. It is necessary to rid the skin of direct sunlight and wear clothes using natural fabrics. These actions will help relieve skin irritation and reduce pain.
Less side effects
After completing the course of radiation therapy, the doctor will give recommendations on how to behave at home, taking into account the features of your case in order to minimize side effects.
Anyone who knows what radiation therapy is in oncology knows the consequences of this treatment too. Those patients who are treated with a method of radiation therapy for a tumor disease should adhere to the doctor’s recommendations, promoting successful treatment and trying to improve their well-being.
Key recommendations:
- To devote more time to rest and sleep. Healing requires a lot of extra energy, and you can get tired quickly. A state of general weakness sometimes lasts another 4-6 weeks after treatment is already completed.
- Eat well, trying to prevent weight loss.
- Do not wear tight clothing with tight 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 medicines you take so that he can take this into account when treating.
Radiation therapy
The main focus of radiation therapy is to maximize the impact on 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 will allow you to achieve your goals. This area is called the irradiation field. When remote irradiation is performed, a mark 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 the irradiation is performed lasts several minutes, and the number of such sessions is determined by the dose of radiation, 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 in the room alone. The doctor monitors the progress of the procedure through a special window or using a video camera while in the next room.
In accordance with 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 applied topically to irradiate 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 placement of the patient in a hospital and is well tolerated. Some indications require radiation therapy in a hospital setting.
The duration of the course of treatment and radiation dose are directly dependent on the type of disease and the degree of neglect of the process. The term of treatment with intracavitary irradiation lasts much less. It may consist of fewer procedures 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
- pancreas cancer;
- prostate cancer;
- spinal cancer;
- skin cancer;
- soft tissue sarcoma;
- stomach cancer.
Irradiation is used in the treatment of lymphoma and leukemia.
Sometimes radiation therapy can be carried out as a preventive measure without evidence of cancer. This procedure serves to prevent the development of cancer.
Radiation dose
Dose of radiation is the volume of ionizing radiation absorbed by body tissues. Previously, rad was the unit of measurement of dose. Gray is now serving this purpose. 1 Gray equals 100 Rad.
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 the affected organ is irradiated day after day, this will increase the damage to cancer cells and reduce healthy tissue.
Treatment planning
A modern oncologist knows everything about radiation therapy in oncology.
The doctor’s arsenal has many types of radiation and methods of exposure. Therefore, properly planned treatment is the key to recovery.
With external radiation therapy, an oncologist uses a simulation to find the area of ​​radiation. During the simulation, the patient is placed on the table, and the doctor determines one or more radiation ports. During the simulation, it is also possible to perform computed tomography or another diagnostic method to determine the direction of radiation.
Irradiation zones are marked with special markers indicating the direction of radiation.
In accordance with the type of radiation therapy chosen, the patient is offered special corsets that help fix various parts of the body, eliminating their movement during the procedure. Sometimes special protective shields are used to help protect neighboring tissues.
In accordance with the result of the simulation, specialists in radiation therapy will decide on the required radiation dose, delivery method and number of sessions.
Diet
Nutritional recommendations will help to avoid side effects from the course of treatment or to reduce their severity. This is especially important for radiation therapy in the pelvis and abdomen. Radiation therapy and diet for oncology have a number of features.
It is necessary to drink a large amount of liquid, up to 12 glasses per day. If the liquid has a high sugar content, it must be diluted with water.
Eating fractional, 5-6 times a day in small doses. Food should be easily digestible: foods containing coarse fibers, lactose and fats should be excluded. It is advisable to adhere to such a diet for another 2 weeks after therapy. Then you can gradually introduce products with fibers: rice, bananas, apple juice, mashed potatoes.
Rehabilitation
The use of radiation therapy affects both tumor and healthy cells. It is especially harmful for 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 acts only on tumor cells. There was a gamma knife, which serves to treat neck and head tumors. It provides a very accurate effect on small-sized tumors.
Despite this, almost everyone who received radiation therapy, to varying degrees, suffer from radiation sickness. Pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, anemia - these symptoms in the end cause radiation therapy in oncology. Treatment and rehabilitation of patients after irradiation sessions are a big problem.
For rehabilitation, the patient needs rest, sleep, fresh air, good nutrition, the use of stimulants of the immune system, means of detoxification.
In addition to a health disorder that is caused by a severe illness and its severe treatment, patients experience depression. Rehabilitation activities often require a session with a psychologist. All these measures will help to overcome the difficulties caused by radiation therapy in oncology. Reviews of patients who have undergone a course of procedures indicate the undoubted benefit of the technique, despite side effects.