Radiation therapy

Description:

Radiation therapy is a method of treatment of tumoral diseases by means of the ionizing radiation. Such radiation is created by means of special devices in which the radioactive source is used. The essence of a method is that at radiation in actively sharing cells the set of mutations which lead of them to death collects. Tumor cells breed much quicker than healthy therefore they are more sensitive to impact of radiation.

There are several options of radiation therapy (radiotheraphy). First of all, they share by the form radiations - a rentgenterapiya and gamma therapy. On a source arrangement concerning a body of the person there is tele-irradiation (at distance), contact, intracavitary. Radiation can directly be brought to a tumor by means of fine needles (interstitial radiation). Radiation therapy is independent medical specialty in which beam therapists are engaged. In need of carrying out this method of treatment the oncologist directs the patient to consultation to the beam therapist who defines a type of therapy, the volume of beam loading and duration of a course.

The main objective when performing radiation therapy is to make the maximum impact on a tumor at the minimum impact on healthy fabrics. For this purpose when planning therapy the doctor has to define location of tumoral process with an accuracy to direct a beam in the right direction and to the necessary depth. The area of influence is called we weed radiations. At tele-irradiation the tag designating area for influence is applied on skin. Surrounding areas and other parts of a body will be protected by lead screens. The session of radiation lasts several minutes, and the number of sessions is defined by the general exposure dose which was appointed. The exposure dose depends on the size of a tumor and type of tumor cells. During the session the patient does not feel pain and any other feelings. Radiation takes place in specially equipped room. During the procedure the patient is one there. The doctor watches the events from the next office through special glass or by means of video cameras.

Depending on a type of a malignant tumor radiation therapy can be an independent method of treatment or be applied in a combination with a surgical method or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy has local character and can be applied to impact on separate body parts. In many cases it promotes considerable reduction of the sizes of a tumor or full treatment.

Complications of radiation therapy.
Side effects can be shown only in the irradiated area or have the general character. Before a course of treatment ask your doctor what complications can be expected and whether there are ways to avoid them.

Side effects depend on area which was affected. So for example, at radiation of a neck or thorax there can be pain and difficulty when swallowing owing to an esophagitis (a gullet inflammation). Radiation of a pilar part of the head can lead to a hair loss.

At tele-irradiation often there is a xeroderma, a peeling, an itch, redness, emergence of small bubbles. For the prevention and treatment of such reaction the softening creams and lotions are used. A frequent complication of radiation therapy is weakness and fatigue. The correct sleep pattern, day rest, observance of a diet with enough calories, walks in the fresh air will help to cope with it to you.
It is necessary to report about all problems immediately to the doctor, most of them can be weakened or eliminated. Remember that side effects though are unpleasant, but mostly vremenna and after treatment gradually will pass.