Radiotherapy – types, preparation, course. Side effects of radiation therapy

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Radiotherapy is currently one of the most popular treatment methods used in oncology. It involves the use of ionizing radiation, which slows down the growth or destroys cancer cells. Find out more about radiation therapy.

Radiotherapy — history

Although the use of X-ray apparatus for therapeutic purposes was initiated at the end of the XNUMXth century, it was not until the next century, mainly due to the discovery of radioactive isotopes of radium and polonium by Maria Skłodowska-Curie, that radiotherapy began to experience a real boom. For this reason, it has long been called interchangeably – curietherapy.

Currently, commonly used medical abbreviations are BTH and RTH. The first is brachytherapy, which involves the use of a radiation source that comes into physical contact with the cancerous tumor. The second one relates to teleoradiotherapy, which we are talking about when the radioactive source is far away from the treated tissue.

See also: The effects of ionizing radiation

What is radiotherapy?

Radiation therapy can be either targeted to eradicate a specific tumor or as part of a preventive therapy to prevent the recurrence of a tumor removed during surgery.

Radiotherapy is most often used in tandem with chemotherapy, and their actions are complementary. Ionizing radiation has proved to be an effective method of treating cancer as it is able to stop the ability of cancer cells to divide, damaging their DNA and, consequently, their development and growth.

So that healthy cells, such as the skin or organs through which radiation passes, do not suffer during the procedure, the beams are directed from several places at the same time so that only the tumor receives the greatest dose of radiation. This procedure is particularly effective because cancer cells grow and divide faster than in healthy tissue, but they lose this property after successful therapy.

1. The effect of low doses of radiation on the body

When do we use radiation therapy?

Oncological radiotherapy is used in virtually all types of cancer in nearly half of patients struggling with a tumor, often combining it with surgery or medications. Radiotherapy is often confused by patients with radiology, which uses radiation for medical imaging and diagnosis.

A doctor may order a patient to undergo a BTH or RTH procedure for both therapeutic and complementary purposes with other types of treatment, such as hormone therapy or immunotherapy.

Radiotherapy is also used palliatively and therapeutically, alleviating the symptoms of cancer and relieving pain in terminally ill patients.

1. How is cancer treated in Poland?

What influences the effectiveness of radiotherapy?

There are many different factors that contribute to the effectiveness of radiotherapy, such as:

1. efficient and modern apparatus: diagnostic, therapeutic, dosimetry and its servicing;
2. the correct number of personnel, as well as the level of their qualifications and professional experience (nurses, doctors, medical engineers, medical physicists, radiation therapy technicians);
3. coordination of medical care,
4. compliance with the given guidelines,
5. comprehensive care.

It is also of great importance that radiotherapy is implemented as soon as possible as a method of self-irradiation of the tumor and its optimal combination with other methods, such as, for example, pre- or post-operative treatment, etc.

1. What does oncology do?

Types of radiation therapy

Radiotherapy is divided into two types:

· radiation therapy from external sources involving the use of an ionizing radiation source (most often electrons or photons) that is outside the patient’s body and conducting treatment from a distance of several dozen centimeters. The radiation emitted from the source is directed at the diseased area of ​​the body;

· brachyterapia involving the use of a radiation source, which is introduced by a suitable device (e.g. a tube, guide, needle or capsule) into the patient’s body, into the area of ​​the diseased organ (e.g. prostate), where it remains until the tumor is destroyed .

Find out more: Brachytherapy – a precise method of cancer treatment

Radiotherapy – preparing the patient

It is very important to thoroughly prepare the patient for radiotherapy before applying it. simulator. It is similar to a therapeutic apparatus in which, instead of a radiation source, there is a diagnostic X-ray tube, thanks to which it is possible to accurately simulate and modify all radiotherapy conditions under the control of a TV monitor.

The next step is to perform computed tomography in a therapeutic position. The entire process uses specialized software that is networked with a computed tomograph or magnetic resonance imaging. Thanks to state-of-the-art planning methods, such as the three-dimensional 3D technique, it is possible to properly select the radiation beams as well as protect critical organs.

In radiotherapy, daily repetition of the set irradiation conditions is extremely important. Oncological radiotherapy must reach precisely the place planned by specialists. To achieve this, tools are used to immobilize the head, torso and limbs. The position as well as the position of the patient’s body is constantly monitored using laser centrators.

During radiotherapy, the effects are not visible with the naked eye, but only the discomfort resulting from the patient’s position is felt. It is very important that every possible movement of the patient during the procedure is eliminated. To achieve this, a special mask is most often used. It is shaped to heat so that it adheres tightly to a specific part of the patient’s body when it cools down. The mask is put on before the procedure and attached to the platform on which the patient is standing.

Cancer radiotherapy as well as the radiation planning process is documented in the radiation charts and the history of the disease. All the time over the course of therapy and the patient’s condition is supervised by a doctor who systematically examines the patient, e.g. by prescribing blood tests.

What does radiation therapy look like?

During the procedure, the patient is in a special room, adapted to perform this type of procedure (it is characteristic that the room has very thick walls, which results from the need to protect against radiation). During this time, the medical staff monitors the patient’s condition using medical devices and cameras and has voice contact with him at the same time.

Doctors and technicians must stay in a room other than the one in which the patient is during the examination, because they would receive a radiation dose, and after a few such treatments, it could be a threat to their health and life. The dose of radiation a patient receives depends on the size, location, type of cancer, as well as the patient’s general health and other forms of treatment.

Non-oncological applications of radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is also used in benign conditionssuch as in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, eye problems related to hyperthyroidism, pterygium, synovitis or resentosis, ie recurrent stenosis of the artery.

Although radiotherapy treatment is associated with the risk of irradiating healthy tissues, in most cases the side effects are much less serious than the consequences of discontinuing treatment. The entire process is supervised by a specialized group of experts led by a radiotherapist.

In addition, each treatment is assisted by a radiotherapist technician who prepares the site and equipment, a nurse and a dosimetry specialist who selects the appropriate radiation doses.

Side effects of radiation therapy

The hair loss characteristic of chemotherapy is not observed after radiotherapy on the head, and only in areas subject to irradiation. After each treatment, it is also recommended to test the level of white blood cells, the level of which decreases during irradiation and are necessary for the proper functioning of the body’s immune system.

During oncological treatment, it is important to take care of the body’s immunity and to properly care for the skin, hair and nails. That is why you should use preparations that will help us take care of the condition of our body. Reach for cosmetics and food for special medical purposes, which you can buy at Medonet Market at an attractive price. We recommend:

1. Specialist body balm Oncoria One,
2. ONtravel – specialist Oncoria One body lotion,
3. Advanced Oncoria One Day Cream,
4. Oncoria One Advanced Night Cream,
5. Advanced Oncoria One Nail Serum,
6. ONCORIA IN DERMA – healthy hair, skin and nails,
7. ONCORIA IN – Prehabilitation before oncological treatment,
8. ONCORIA IN – Regeneration during oncological treatment,
9. ONCORIA IN – Forte regeneration during oncological treatment.

Importantly for patients, radiotherapy can negatively affect emotional life by intensifying the feeling of fatigue and changes in hormonal balance, but the treatment itself does not cause them.

1. The yogurt bacteria protect the intestines during radiation therapy

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