Benefits Of Radiotherapy For Cancer Treatment

Cancer is a dangerous disease that is scary. One treatment that is done is radiotherapy or radiation therapy with the use of the light as an energy-intensive kill cancer cells.

Radiation therapy generally uses the power of X-ray, but can also harness the power of protons or other kinds of energy. Radiation therapy serves damage cancer cells by destroying the genetic material that controls cell growth and division of cancer cells themselves.

the benefits of radiotherapy for cancer treatment

Treating Various Types of Cancer

Most cancer patients will receive radiation therapy as part of treatment. Radiotherapy is used by doctors to help treat almost all types of cancer. Radiation therapy is also useful in treating some types of benign tumors. Here are some reasons why radiotherapy is done:

As the only type of treatment for cancer.

Combination with other types of treatments such as chemotherapy to destroy the cancer cells.

Stop the growth of cancer cells remaining after surgery (adjuvant therapy).

Reduce the size of the cancer prior to surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).

In advanced cancer, to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer.

Type Radiotherapy Treatments

Generally there are two types of radiotherapy that is used for the treatment of cancer, namely:

External radiotherapy. External radiotherapy is the most common type of radiotherapy. A machine will emit radiation, usually X-ray intensity. Radiation will be directed at the body part affected by cancer. Each session usually takes about 10-30 minutes. You will not feel pain or suffering during therapy.

Internal radiotherapy. There are two ways of internal radiotherapy is generally carried out, namely:

Implant. Generally, the implant will be placed on the body part affected by cancer or nearby. The size and shape of the implant is very diverse with a radioactive material that is different. Mainly used for cancer of the uterus, rectum, cervix, prostate, mouth and neck.

Fluid. By drinking a liquid that contains radioactive iodine. For example, for the treatment of thyroid cancer. The content of radioactive iodine will be absorbed by the bloodstream, and then absorbed by the thyroid cells either cancerous or normal. Iodine will then collect and destroy cells in the thyroid ..

In addition, there are some new method of radiotherapy used to fight cancer cells.

Guided radiotherapy imaging or image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), which enables more accurate radiation leads to cancer cells.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy with or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) which is especially useful for the treatment of cancer in the head and neck.

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) which can be used to steer the small-sized cancers.

Proton beam therapy or proton beam therapy that can minimize healthy tissue exposed to radiation due to the high accuracy against the cancer.

Risks to consider Side Effects

The side effects of radiotherapy depend on which body part exposed to radiation and how much intensity is used. Maybe someone does not experience any side effects, while others experience some side effects at once.

Most side effects are temporary, able to be controlled, and most importantly, will soon disappear after treatment is completed.

Head and neck. Radiotherapy conducted around the head and neck, possible side effects include dry mouth condition, which thickens the saliva, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, changes in taste on the food consumed, nausea, mouth sores, and tooth decay.

Chest. Radiation therapy to the chest can cause side effects such as cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing.

Stomach. In the abdomen, side effects that occur are usually nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Pelvis. The side effects may include irritation of the bladder, frequent urination, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction as the effects of radiation therapy in the pelvic.

There was also the risk that the public complained after radiation therapy, such as hair loss, skin irritation at the site of therapy, and fatigue.

These effects usually will decrease a few days or weeks after treatment is completed. It is rare, radiotherapy also have the possibility of long-term impact. For example in the treatment of genital or pelvic risk causing permanent infertility.

Things that Should be Prepared

Before you undergo external beam radiation therapy, the medical team will provide guidance in a planning process to ensure that the radiation to the location of the body that need it appropriately. Generally planning includes:

Simulation of radiation. During the simulation, the radiation therapy team will ask you to lie with the position that makes you comfortable. Pillows and limiting use to ensure your position does not change during therapy. Then part of your body to be treated will be marked.

Pemindaian.Tim plan radiation therapy will do the scanning by means of computed tomography or CT scan to determine the extent of the body that require radiation.

After the planning process, radiotherapy team will decide on the type and dose of radiation that the patient will receive based on the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and reason for radiotherapy. The focus and the right dose of radiotherapy is important to maximize the effects of radiation in destroying cancer cells and in minimizing the effects that can be harmful.

About four out of ten cases of cancer have been successfully treated using radiotherapy as part of treatment. However, the results of radiotherapy depending on the type and stage of cancer as well as other medications that you receive.

The treatment of cancer is very important to be done by medical experts are trusted. Accompanied also by adopting a healthy lifestyle, positive thinking and try remain active during the healing process of cancer.

Radiotherapy For Cancer Treatment