Radiation Therapy For Cancer
Using ionized energy to kill cells, radiation therapy is used by half of all patients to treat cancer.
Radiation kills cancer cells by damaging their genetic material beyond repair, causing them to breakdown and die. Both short- and long-term side effects, such as hair and memory loss, can occur when the therapy kills healthy cells.
Different types of radiation exist. When a machine outside the body delivers it, it is called external-beam radiation therapy. If radioactive materials are placed inside the body, it is called internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy. You can also receive an injection of radioactive iodine, which travels through the body to kill cancer cells, a treatment called systemic radiation therapy.
When cancer cant be cured, radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumors to make life more comfortable for a patient. Doctors may use radiation treatments alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Recently Answered
- Q Can I take over-the-counter medicine during radiation treatment for cancer?
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Be sure to ask your radiation oncologist or nurse before taking any medicine even over-the-counter medications. This includes aspirin. You should list all medicines you are currently taking and any allergies you may have and discuss it with your... Full Answer
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- Q What can I do about loss of appetite from radiation treatment?
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Here are some hints to help you, if you have lost your appetite during treatment. Eat when you're hungry, even it it's not mealtime. Eat smaller meals more often. Keep non-sugary, nutritious snacks handy such as fresh or dried fruits and... Full Answer
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- Q How can I deal with side effects from stomach radiation for cancer?
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If you are being treated with external radiation in the stomach or abdominal area you may experience side effects such as an upset stomach, nausea or diarrhea. If you don't feel well after radiation therapy, try not eating for several hours... Full Answer
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- Q What can I expect during radiation treatments for cancer?
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During your treatments, you will be cared for by your radiation therapist. Using the marks that have already been made on your skin, the radiation therapist will carefully position you on the treatment table beneath the machine. If a mold was... Full Answer
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- Q What are the benefits of external beam radiation for cancer treatment?
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External beam radiation for the treatment of cancer allows high doses of radiation to be directed specifically to the tumor itself, sparing healthy tissue in areas around it. Using three-dimensional treatment planning, the radiation oncologist... Full Answer
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- Q What are the common types of radiation treatment for cancer?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire, OncologyThe two most common types of radiation therapy (RT) used to treat cancer are three-dimensional conformal (3DCRT) and intensity modulated (IMRT). 3DCRT is performed after obtaining imaging of the part of the patient's body that's affected by... Full Answer
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- Q What is intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for cancer?
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Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is a selectively used special procedure in which radiation is given to a patient's open surgical site during surgery. This technique is used when a surgeon finds cancer in the neck, chest, abdomen, or... Full Answer
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- Q What is cone beam computed tomography for cancer radiation treatment?
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Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT or cone beam CT) involves the use of a CT scanner built into the linear accelerator. Images taken just prior to radiation treatment allow the radiation oncologist to correct any variation between intended and... Full Answer
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- Q What is consolidation therapy?
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Consolidation therapy is a treatment that is given after cancer has disappeared following the initial therapy. Consolidation therapy is used to kill any cancer cells that may be left in the body. It may include radiation therapy, a stem cell transplant,... Full Answer
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- Q What is accelerated-fraction radiation therapy?
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Accelerated-fraction radiation therapy is a type of radiation treatment in which the total dose of radiation is divided into small doses and the treatments are given more than once a day. The total dose of radiation is also given over a shorter period of... Full Answer
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