Radiation Therapy
Why is Radiation Therapy a part of my treatment?
Depending on the stage and prognosis of your cancer, your oncologist may recommend a radiation consult as a part of your treatment. Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. It can be used to shrink a cancerous tumor prior to surgery. Radiation is sometimes used in conjunction with chemotherapy to help kill cancer cells which may not be seen with the naked eye or via radiologic surveying. It is used to slow the growth of metastatic tumors palliatively resulting in decreased pain and more comfort. Sometimes the treatment of choice, depending on your type and stage of cancer, may require only radiation therapy. For patients undergoing stem cell transplants, chemotherapy and radiation may be used to destroy diseased cells remaining in the body prior to the transplant; and to weaken the immune system so that it can accept the new infused stem cells and not reject them. For more information regarding radiation therapy, go to the NCCN Guidelines for patients to find treatment recommendations and patient and caregiver resources. You can also utilize the American Cancer Society website for patients to obtain many education, financial, and treatment support resources. The American Cancer Support helpline contact number is: 800.227.2345.
Resources:
https://www.nccn.org/patients/default.aspx
https://www.cancer.org/treatment.html
Different types of radiation therapy
Your Radiation Oncologist will recommend the appropriate type of radiation for your cancer and he or she will take into consideration specific characteristics such as tumor stage, size and grade, physical symptoms, prior radiation therapy, and the ability of the patient's body to physically accommodate and tolerate the treatment.
Radiation therapy can be given in 3 ways:
External radiation (or external beam radiation): uses a machine that directs high-energy rays from outside the body into the tumor. Most people get external radiation therapy over many weeks. It’s done during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center.
Internal radiation: Internal radiation is also called brachytherapy. A radioactive source is put inside the body into or near the tumor.
Systemic radiation: Radioactive drugs given by mouth or put into a vein are used to treat certain types of cancer. These drugs then travel throughout the body.
Resource:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/radiation/basics.html
Proton Therapy
Proton therapy, or proton radiotherapy, is a type of particle therapy that uses a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue, most often in the treatment of cancer. Protons can be directed to reach only the areas of the body that are affected by cancer. This leads to more accurate therapy, with less risk that healthy tissue will be exposed to radiation - and this can reduce the risk of complications and side effects.
Resource:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/proton-therapy/about/pac-20384758
Side Effects of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy can cause side effects in the process of killing diseased or cancerous cells. Your radiation oncologist knows what type, amount, and duration of the radiation therapy needed to kill the cancer cells. You will be given education by the radiation team to prevent or help with any side effects.
Make sure you follow their instructions carefully. The most common side effects to expect, depending on the area of irradiation are: fatigue, dry mouth, skin burns, possible damage to a nearby organ, and loss of appetite. The patient should work closely with the healthcare team and report new and unmanaged symptoms immediately to have the situation remedied.
Resources:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/radiation/coping.html