Radiation treatment, or radiation therapy, is used to kill cancer cells. When you receive treatments, high doses of radiation are aimed at the cancer site to prevent it from spreading. Depending on the severity of the cancer, as well as the type of cancer, different radiation treatments are applied. This can be used with an external machine, through internal methods, or by way of systemic radiation (where the treatment goes throughout the body). The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cells that control the genetic make-up of how cells are divided and how they grow. In the process, healthy cells may also be destroyed. However, when you receive radiation treatment, the potential benefits outweigh the risks, such as side effects and the destruction of healthy cells.
External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation can destroy many types of cancer, such as brain, breast, cervical, and lung cancer. When you receive external beam radiation, you are placed upon a table, as a machine above you is aimed at the site of your cancer. The machine rotates around the site of the cancer. External beam radiation is done on an outpatient basis, meaning you do not need to stay in the hospital overnight. According to the National Cancer Institute, external beam radiation is done five times a week, once a day; in some instances, smaller doses are performed twice a day in lieu of once a day.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is used in the treatments of cervical cancer, prostate cancer, bile duct cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer, cancer that pertains to soft tissue sarcomas (connective tissue), breast cancer, some forms of cancer in the lungs, neck, and esophagus. There are two types of brachytherapy, intracavity brachytherapy and interstitial brachytherapy. Intracavity brachytherapy requires a radioactive source to be placed within a cavity, such as the vagina. Interstitial brachytherapy requires a catheter or another form of implant to be placed close to the tumor, or inside the tumor. According to the Mayo Clinic, brachytherapy allows for a higher dosage of radiation to be placed at the tumor site, which helps the chances of destroying the tumor.
Sytemic Radiation Therapy
Systemic radiation therapy is used to treat cancers such as adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma and thyroid cancer. Radiation is either taken by mouth or through an injection. The form of radiation is done either with iodine 131, or strontium 89. Strontium 89 is absorbed by the bone, and according to the National Cancer Institute, strontium 89 is even being used in the research on effectively manage bone pain with cancer.
Precautions
Since radiation therapy involves high doses of radiation, the common fear is that the patient who receives the therapy will become radioactive. In the case of external radiation therapy, there is no risk of the patient becoming radioactive. Internal radiation therapy is a risk to those who apply the source, such as hospital staff. The site of the treatment is radioactive since the treatment is delivered by a catheter, but overall, the body is not radioactive. Systemic radiation uses materials that course throughout the body. According to the National Cancer Institute, this radioactive material can be secreted through saliva, sweat, and urine. In essence, these fluids are radioactive, which means people who come into contact with someone who has received systemic radiation therapy may need to take special precautions.
Side Effects
Side effects of therapy vary from person to person, and they are a normal aspect of radiation therapy. Side effects also depend on how much radiation has been received in the course of treatment. Side effects can include hair loss, fatigue, and skin irritations. Other effects include dry mouth, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, difficulty in swallowing fluids or food, and a sore jaw. If you receive treatment for your lungs, you can experience coughing and shortness of breath as a result of your treatment. Radiation therapy can also result in frequent urination, sexual dysfunction, and diarrhea.
Tags: radiation therapy, beam radiation, Cancer Institute, National Cancer, National Cancer Institute
