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Radiation
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Radiation therapy is an effective way to
treat many kinds of cancer in almost any part of the body. It uses an
invisible high-energy X-ray beam to stop cancer cells from growing.
The radiation comes from a machine outside
the body (external beam radiation) which directs the beam at a region of the
body to be treated. It can also come from radioactive materials placed
directly into or near the tumor to be treated (implant radiation ir
brachytherapy). Sometimes
the patient may receive both kinds of radiation therapy.
Like surgery, radiation
therapy is used in several ways depending on the type and location of the
cancer. Certain levels of radiation work to destroy cancer cells or prevent
cells from growing or reproducing. This treatment may provide a cure for
cancer, control the disease, or help relieve its symptoms.
Radiation treatments are usually given once a day (five days a week) on an
outpatient basis in St. John’s Radiation Oncology department (located on the
lower level of St. John’s Cancer Center). A typical course of therapy will
last for two to five weeks.
When you receive your treatment, you will be
in a radiation therapy room by yourself, but your radiation therapist can
see and hear you at all times. Radiation treatments are very similar to
having an X-ray taken.
A usual treatment session takes 15-20 minutes
but the radiation beam is active for less than one minute.
IMRT, conformal radiation therapy and
stereotactic radiosurgery are all terms used to describe very complex and
accurate ways of using a radiation beam to treat cancer.
Radiation therapy is a
painless cancer treatment, though it can irritate skin. The biggest risk of
radiation therapy involves potential damage to normal cells, in addition to
the cancerous cells. This damage to the normal cells can cause some after
effects, which will be monitored and treated by your cancer treatment team.
The side effects from radiation therapy will vary depending on your overall
health, the dose of radiation being delivered, and the part of your body
being treated. Modern equipment and treatment techniques concentrate the
radiation onto the tumor site and thereby minimize the effects on normal
tissues.
The after effects that do occur are typically
not serious. They can usually be controlled with medication or diet and
usually cease shortly after completion of therapy.
Many patients have NO side effects from
radiation therapy. Your radiation oncologist will discuss any possible side
effects you might experience and answer your questions about how you can
prevent or reduce the side effects.
Your body will respond to radiation therapy
in its own way. That is why your doctor will plan and sometimes adjust your
treatment. Be sure to ask any questions you have.
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Ask your health care team about possible side effects and about what you can
do to prevent or reduce them.
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Always take your treatments as prescribed by your doctor.
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Ask questions about your treatment. Discuss changes before they are made.
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If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call the office.
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Avoid people who have colds or infections.
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