One of the main problems cancerous tumors- This is uncontrolled cell division and multiplication. Radiation therapy in oncology and radiology, it allows you to reduce aggressiveness, reduce neoplasm and make some of the cells stop dividing. The most common forms cancer cells very sensitive to this effect.
Targets of ionized radiation
- Reducing the risk of metastases.
- Reduce the growth rate of cancer tissue.
- Lethal damage to tumor cells.
The action is carried out with the help of a linear accelerator on DNA molecules, which, under the influence of a dose of radiation, change and stop dividing. At the same time, healthy cells are not so affected, and young immature tumor cells, on the contrary, are very sensitive. But radiation in oncology is used only in combination with the main types of therapy: surgical treatment and chemotherapy.
Recently, radiation therapy has been used on simple diseases, for example, when fighting bone growth. The advantage of this treatment is that the radiation can be carried out pointwise so as not to hurt healthy cells.
When used
As practice shows, radiotherapy is used for almost all oncological diseases - 55-75% of cases. Otherwise, cancer cells are not so sensitive to radiation, or the patient, on the contrary, has side effects and diseases for which this treatment is contraindicated.
We advise women and girls who have been exposed to radiation not to plan to give birth in the next couple of years, as the rays have a very strong effect on reproductive function... And to give birth healthy baby it's worth the wait a bit - if you have time.
How much does radiotherapy cost
Regular clinics and city hospitals will do it for you free of charge. If you want to do on more advanced equipment, then you should sign up for paid hospital... The cost will vary from 15,000 to 50,000 rubles per procedure. Prices abroad are 2-3 times more expensive.
Do I always have to be treated in a hospital?
Most radiation therapies today do not require an inpatient hospital stay. The patient can spend the night at home and come to the clinic on an outpatient basis, exclusively for the treatment itself. The exceptions are those types of radiation therapy that require such extensive preparation that it simply does not make sense to go home. The same applies to treatment, in which it is necessary surgical intervention for example, brachytherapy, in which radiation is given from the inside.
For some complex combination chemoradiotherapy, it is also advisable to stay in the clinic.
In addition, there may be exceptions when deciding on possible outpatient treatment if the patient's general condition does not allow for outpatient treatment or if doctors believe that regular observation will be safer for the patient.
How much stress can I tolerate during radiation therapy?
Does the treatment limit the permissible load depends on the type of treatment. Probability of development side effects with irradiation of the head or volumetric irradiation of large tumors is greater than with targeted irradiation of a small tumor. The underlying disease and general condition play an important role. If the condition of patients as a whole is severely limited due to the underlying disease, if they have symptoms such as pain, or if they have lost weight, then radiation is an additional burden.
Ultimately and mental situation exerts its influence. Treatment for several weeks abruptly interrupts the usual rhythm of life, repeats over and over again, and in itself is tiring and burdensome.
In general, even in patients with the same disease, doctors observe large differences - some experience almost no problems, others clearly feel sick, their condition is limited by side effects such as fatigue, headaches or lack of appetite, they need more rest ... Many patients generally feel at least so good that during outpatient treatment they are limited in performing simple tasks only in moderate, or do not feel any limitations at all.
Are higher physical exercise for example, playing sports or taking short trips between courses of treatment, should be decided by the attending physician. Anyone who, during the period of exposure, wants to return to his workplace should also be in mandatory discuss the matter with doctors and health insurance.
What should I pay attention to when it comes to nutrition?
The effect of radiation or radionuclide therapy on nutrition is difficult to describe in general. Patients who receive high doses of radiation in the mouth, larynx or throat are in a completely different situation than, for example, patients with breast cancer, in whom the digestive tract does not reach the radiation field at all and in which case, the treatment is mainly , is carried out with the aim of consolidating the success of the operation.
Patients whose digestive tract is not affected during treatment usually do not have to fear any consequences from nutrition and digestion.
They can eat as usual, while they need to pay attention to consumption enough calories and a balanced combination of foods.
How to eat when head irradiation or digestive tract?
Patients in whom the oral cavity, larynx or alimentary tract is the target of radiation, or their associated radiation cannot be avoided, need the supervision of a nutritionist, in accordance with the recommendations of the German and European Society of Dietetics (www.dgem.de). In their case, problems with eating can be expected. The mucous membrane can be damaged, leading to pain and the risk of infections. In the worst case, there may also be problems with swallowing and other functional disorders... The lack of energy and nutrient supply that can arise from these kinds of problems, which under certain circumstances, may even lead to interruption of treatment, is to be avoided, is the opinion of the professional community.
Especially those patients who, even before the beginning of the irradiation, could not eat normally, lost weight and / or showed certain deficiencies, need supervision and support. Whether the patient needs nutritional support ("Nutrition for Astronauts") or the introduction of a feeding tube is decided depending on the individual situation, best before starting treatment.
Patients who develop nausea or vomiting associated with exposure to radiation should always talk to their doctors about medications that suppress nausea.
Do complementary or alternative medicines, vitamins and minerals help to cope with the effects of radiation?
For fear of side effects, many patients turn to drugs that are said to be able to protect against radiation injury and the occurrence of side effects... For the products that patients inquire about at the Cancer Information Service, here are the so-called "Top-Selling Drugs" list, which includes complementary and alternative methods, vitamins, minerals and other biologically active additives.
However, the vast majority of these proposals are not at all drugs and they play no role in cancer treatment. In particular, with regard to some vitamins, there is debate about whether they might even have negative influence on the effect of radiation:
The alleged side-effect protection offered by so-called radical scavengers or antioxidants such as vitamin A, C or E could, at least in theory, neutralize the desired effect. ionizing radiation in tumors. That is, not only healthy tissue would be protected, but also cancer cells.
The first clinical trials in patients with head and neck tumors appear to support this concern.
Can I prevent damage to my skin and mucous membranes with the right care?
Irradiated skin requires careful maintenance. Washing in most cases is not taboo, however, it should be carried out, if possible, without the use of soap, shower gel, etc. - this is how it recommends working group on the side effects of the German Society for Radiation Oncology. The use of perfumes or deodorants is also impractical. As for powder, creams or ointments, in in this case you can only use what the doctor has allowed. If your skin is marked by a radiation therapist, it must not be washed. The linen should not press or chafe; when drying with a towel, do not rub the skin.
The first symptoms of a reaction are often mild. sunburn... If more intense redness or even blisters are formed, then patients should consult a doctor, even if a medical appointment has not been prescribed. In the long term, irradiated skin can change pigmentation, that is, become either slightly darker or lighter. Sweat glands can be destroyed. However, severe injuries have become very rare today.
What should dental care look like?
For patients who need to undergo head and / or neck irradiation, dental care is a particular challenge. The mucous membrane refers to tissues, the cells of which divide very quickly, and it suffers from treatment more than, for example, the skin. Small, painful wounds are common. The risk of developing infections increases.
If at all possible, it is necessary to consult a dentist before starting irradiation, possibly even in dental clinic who has experience in preparing patients for radiation therapy. Dental defects, if any, should be eliminated before starting treatment, however, often this cannot be done in time for practical reasons.
During irradiation, experts recommend brushing your teeth thoroughly, but very carefully, in order to reduce the number of bacteria in the oral cavity, despite the possible damaged mucous membrane. To protect teeth, many radiologists, together with dentists, carry out fluoride prophylaxis using gels, which are used as toothpaste or for some time they act directly on the teeth through the mouthguard.
Will my hair fall out?
Hair loss from radiation can only occur if the part of the head covered with hair is in the radiation field and the radiation dose is relatively high. This also applies hairline on the body, which falls into the ray field. Thus, adjuvant breast irradiation in breast cancer, for example, does not affect scalp hair, eyelashes or eyebrows. Only hair growth in axillary area from the affected side, which falls into the radiation field, may become more scarce. However, if hair follicles are really damaged, then until the moment when visible hair growth appears again, it may take six months or more. What hair care should look like at this time should be discussed with your doctor. Important is good protection from the sun's rays for the scalp.
After irradiation of the head, some patients have to reckon with the fact that for some time hair growth directly in the place where the rays hit will be scanty. For doses above 50 Gray, radiation therapists assume that not all hair follicles will be able to recover again. Until now does not exist effective means to combat or prevent this problem.
Will I be "radioactive"? Should I stay away from other people?
This needs to be clarified
Ask your doctors about it! They will explain to you whether you will come into contact with radioactive substances at all. This does not happen with normal irradiation. If you do come into contact with such substances, you and your family will receive several recommendations from doctors on protection against radiation.
This question worries many patients, as well as their loved ones, especially if there are small children or pregnant women in the family.
With "normal" percutaneous radiation therapy, the patient himself is not radioactive! The rays penetrate his body and give up their energy there, which is absorbed by the tumor. No radioactive material is used. Even close physical contact is completely safe for family and friends.
With brachytherapy, radioactive material can remain in the patient's body for a short time. While the patient is "emitting rays", he usually remains in the hospital. When doctors give " green light"for discharge, there is no more danger for family and visitors.
Are there long-term consequences that I have to take into account even after several years?
Radiation therapy: In many patients, after radiation, no visible changes remain on the skin or internal organs. However, they need to know that once irradiated tissue remains more receptive for a long time, even if it is not very noticeable in everyday life. However, considering increased sensitivity skin during body care, in the treatment of possible irritations caused by exposure to sunlight, as well as mechanical stress on the tissue, usually little can happen.
When conducting medical activities in the area of the former irradiation field, during blood sampling, physiotherapy, etc., the responsible specialist should be advised that he should be careful. Otherwise, even with minor injuries, there is a danger that, if not professionally treated, the healing process will not proceed correctly and a chronic wound will form.
Organ damage
Not only the skin, but every organ that has received too high a dose of radiation can react to the radiation by altering its tissues.
These include cicatricial changes in which healthy tissue is replaced by less elastic connective tissue (atrophy, sclerosis), and the function of the tissue or organ itself is lost.
The blood supply is also affected. It is either insufficient, since connective tissue is poorly supplied with blood through the veins, or multiple small and dilated veins are formed (telangiectasias). After irradiation, the glands and tissues of the mucous membranes become very sensitive and, due to cicatricial restructuring, react to the smallest changes by sticking.
Which organs are affected?
As a rule, only those areas that were actually in the radiation field are affected. If the organ is affected, scarring, for example, in the salivary glands, mouth and other parts of the digestive tract, in the vagina or in the urogenital tract, under certain circumstances actually leads to loss of function or the formation of obstructing narrowings.
The brain and nerves can also be affected by high doses of radiation. If the uterus, ovaries, testes or prostate gland were in the path of the rays, then the ability to conceive children may be lost.
Damage to the heart is also possible, for example in patients with cancer, in the case of whom it was not possible to bypass the heart with radiation to the chest.
Tissue-specific radiation doses are known to radiologists from clinical and preclinical studies that can be expected to cause similar or other severe injuries. Therefore, they try to avoid such stress as much as possible. New targeting techniques have made this task easier.
If it is impossible to reach the tumor without simultaneously irradiating the sensitive organ, then the patients, together with their doctors, should jointly consider the balance of benefits and risks.
Secondary cancers
In the worst case, delayed effects in healthy cells also lead to the development of radiation-induced secondary tumors (secondary carcinomas). They are explained by persistent changes in the genetic substance. A healthy cell can repair such damage, but only to a certain extent. At certain conditions they are nevertheless transferred to daughter cells. There is an increased risk that as the cells divide further, more damage will appear and eventually a tumor will develop. In general, the risk after exposure is low. It can often take several decades before such a "mistake" actually occurs. However, most of all exposed cancer patients become ill in the second half of their lives. This must be taken into account when comparing the potential risks and benefits of treatment.
In addition, the load with new methods of irradiation is much less than with those methods that were used a couple of decades ago. For example, young women who, due to lymphoma, have received extensive radiation to the chest, that is, the so-called radiation through the magnetic field around the membrane, as a rule, have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. For this reason, doctors try to use extensive radiation as little as possible as part of their treatment for lymphomas. Among cancer patients prostate who underwent radiation therapy until the end of the 1980s using conventional methods of the time, the risk of developing bowel cancer is higher compared with healthy men... A recent study by American scientists shows that the risk has decreased significantly since about 1990 - the use of newer and much more targeted radiation techniques today means that in most men, the intestines no longer enter the radiation field at all.
Radiotherapy is a method of treatment oncological diseases based on the use of ionizing radiation. It was first applied in 1886 to an Austrian girl. The impact was successful. After the procedure, the patient lived for over 70 years. Today the considered method of treatment is widespread. So, radiation therapy - what is it, and what consequences can a person exposed to radiation have?
Classical radiation therapy in oncology is carried out using a linear accelerator and is a targeted effect of radiation on tumor cells. Its action is based on the ability of ionizing radiation to influence water molecules, forming free radicals. The latter violate the structure of the DNA of the altered cell, and makes it impossible to divide.
It is impossible to delineate the boundaries of the action of radiation so precisely that healthy cells are not affected during the procedure. However, normally functioning structures divide slowly. They are less susceptible to radiation and recover much faster after radiation damage... The tumor is not capable of this.
Interesting to know: the effectiveness of radiotherapy increases in proportion to the rate of tumor growth. Slowly growing neoplasms react poorly to ionizing radiation.
Radiation classification and dose
Radiation therapy is classified by the type of radiation and the way it is delivered to the tissues of the neoplasm.
Radiation can be:
- Corpuscular - consists of microparticles and in turn is subdivided into alpha type, beta type, neutron, proton, formed by carbon ions.
- Wave - formed by X-rays or gamma radiation.
According to the method of supplying radiation to the tumor, therapy is divided into:
- remote;
- contact.
Remote sensing techniques can be static or mobile. In the first case, the emitter is stationary, in the second - it rotates around the patient. Movable ways external influence are more gentle, as they damage healthy tissues less. The gentle effect is achieved due to the varying angles of incidence of the beam.
Contact radiation therapy can be intracavitary or intra-wound. In this case, the emitter is introduced into the patient's body and brought directly to the pathological focus. This can significantly reduce the load on healthy tissues.
During treatment, the patient receives a certain dose of radiation. Radiation load measured in grays (Gy) and adjusted before starting therapy. This indicator depends on many factors: the patient's age, his general condition, type and depth of the tumor. The final figure differs from case to case. For example, the load required to treat breast cancer varies from 45 to 60 Gy.
The calculated dose is too large to be given at once. To make the load acceptable, experts carry out fractionation - dividing the required amount of radiation by the expected number of procedures. Usually the course is held for 2-6 weeks, 5 days a week. If the patient does not tolerate the treatment, the daily dose is divided into two procedures - morning and evening.
Indications for appointment in oncology
A common indication for prescribing radiation therapy is the presence of malignant neoplasms. Radiation is considered almost universal method treatment of tumors. Impact can be independent or auxiliary.
Radiation therapy performs an auxiliary function if it is prescribed after prompt removal focus of pathology. The aim of the irradiation is to eliminate the altered cells remaining in the postoperative area. The method is used with or without chemotherapy.
As an independent therapy, the radiological method is used:
- to remove small, rapidly growing tumors;
- inoperable tumors nervous system(radio knife);
- as a method of palliative treatment (reducing the size of the neoplasm and relieving symptoms in hopeless patients).
In addition to the above, radiation therapy is prescribed for skin cancer. This approach avoids the appearance of scars at the site of the tumor, which is inevitable if traditional surgical methods are used.
How is the course of treatment carried out?
A preliminary decision on the need for radiotherapy is made by the doctor who treats the oncology. He refers the patient to a consultation with a radiologist. The latter chooses a method and determines the characteristics of the treatment, explains to the patient possible risks and complications.
After consultation, the person passes computed tomography, with the help of which the exact location of the tumor is determined and its three-dimensional image is created. The patient should remember the exact position of his body on the table. It is in this position that therapy will be carried out.
The patient is admitted to the radiological room in loose hospital clothes. It is located on the table, after which the specialists set the equipment in the required position and put marks on the patient's body. In subsequent procedures, they will be used to configure the equipment.
The procedure itself does not require any action from the patient. The person lies in a given position for 15-30 minutes, after which he is allowed to stand up. If the condition does not allow this, transportation is carried out on a gurney.
Note: to fix the patient's body in a given position, various external structures can be used: head masks, Shants collars, mattresses and pillows.
Consequences of radiation therapy and side effects
As a rule, the radiation dose is selected in such a way as to minimize the effect on healthy tissues. So Negative consequences therapies occur only with repeated long sessions. One of the most common complications in this case is radiation burns, which can be of the 1st or 2nd degree of severity. Treatment of uninfected burns is carried out using regenerating ointments (Actovegin, Solcoseryl), infected ones - using antibiotics and local funds having antimicrobial action(Levomekol).
Another common side effect of radiation therapy is nausea due to high doses of radiation. You can reduce it by drinking hot tea with lemon. Medication correction of the condition is Cerucal. Other consequences are less common.
Patients complain about:
- fatigue;
- alopecia (hair loss);
- swelling;
- skin irritation;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes.
The side effects listed in the list are poorly treatable if given in the background of unfinished radiotherapy. They go away on their own some time after the treatment is over.
Radiation therapy nutrition
Exposure to radiation leads to the gradual destruction of tumor tissue. Decomposition products enter the bloodstream and cause intoxication. To take it off and also to minimize negative impact procedures, you need to eat right.
Radiation therapy should be fed according to the principles of healthy eating. The patient should consume up to 2 liters of liquid (compotes, juices, fruit drinks) per day. Food is consumed fractionally, up to 6 times a day. The basis of the diet should be protein foods and dishes rich in pectin.
- egg;
- seeds;
- sea fish;
- cottage cheese;
- fruits and vegetables;
- berries;
- greenery.
Interesting to know: radiation therapy will be easier if the patient begins to eat a large baked apple with honey every day.
Rehabilitation period
The recovery period usually goes away without use medicines... If the treatment is successful and the tumor has been removed completely, the patient is advised to conduct healthy image life: giving up bad habits, psychologically comfortable environment, sufficient rest time, good nutrition, moderate physical activity. In such conditions, rehabilitation takes several months. During this time, a person visits a doctor several times and undergoes an examination.
If therapy was carried out for a palliative purpose, there is no question of recovery as such. The patient is prescribed antibacterial agents, analgesics, provide it good nutrition... It is better if the person is surrounded by relatives and friends, and not in a hospital.
Radiation therapy is a modern and highly effective method of treating tumors. With early detection of a pathological focus, radiation can remove it completely, with inoperable neoplasms - to alleviate the patient's condition. However, this method should be treated with caution. Its incorrect use negatively affects the patient's well-being.
Cancer is the most unpleasant prognosis a doctor can offer. There is still no medicine to guarantee a cure for this disease. The insidiousness of cancer is that it affects almost all known organs. In addition, cancer can launch its tentacles even into the body of pets. Is there a way to fight this enemy? Radiation therapy in oncology is considered one of the most effective methods. But the bottom line is that many are abandoning this prospect.
Let's walk through the basics
What do we know about cancer? This disease is almost incurable. Moreover, the incidence is growing every year. Most often, the French get sick, which is explained by the aging of the population, since the disease often affects older people.
In fact, cancer is a disease of cells, during which they begin to divide continuously, forming new pathologies. By the way, cancer cells do not die, they just transform into new stage... This is the most dangerous moment. In our body, a priori there is a certain supply of cancer cells, but they can quantitatively grow due to external factors, which are bad habits, abuse fatty foods, stress or even heredity.
Moreover, the tumor that forms by these cells can be benign if it grows outside the organ. In such a situation, it can be cut out and thereby eliminate the problem. But if the tumor grows on the bone or it has grown through healthy tissue, then it is almost impossible to cut it out. In any case, if the tumor is surgically removed, then radiation therapy is inevitable. In oncology, this method is quite common. But more and more sick people refuse this practice due to fear of radiation.
Types of treatment
If there is an illness, then it is worth considering the main methods of treatment. These include surgical removal tumors. By the way, it is always removed with a margin in order to exclude the risk of possible tumor growth into healthy tissues. In particular, in breast cancer, the entire gland is removed along with the axillary and subclavian lymph nodes... If you miss a certain part of cancer cells, then the growth of metastases is accelerated and chemotherapy is required, which is effective method against rapidly dividing cells. Radiation therapy, which kills malignant cells, is also in use. In addition, cryo- and photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, providing assistance the immune system in the fight against tumor. If the tumor is found at an advanced stage, then combined treatment or the use of drugs that alleviate pain and depression may be prescribed.
Indications
So when is radiation therapy necessary in oncology? When talking with a sick person, it is most important to reasonably explain the need for such a method of treatment and clearly formulate the task that you want to achieve this way. If the tumor is malignant, then radiation therapy in oncology is used as the main method of treatment or in combination with surgery. The doctor expects from the treatment to reduce the size of the tumor, temporarily stop growth, relieve pain syndrome... For two thirds of cancers, radiation therapy is used in oncology. The consequences of this method are expressed in an increase in the sensitivity of the diseased area. For some types of tumors, radiation therapy is more preferable than the surgical method, since it is less traumatic and has the best cosmetic result in open areas.
For epithelial tumors, combined radiation and surgical treatment is indicated, with radiation being the first priority, since it helps to reduce the tumor and suppress its growth. If the operation was not effective enough, then postoperative radiation is indicated.
In forms with distant metastases, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is indicated.
Contraindications
When is radiation therapy clearly out of place in oncology? The consequences are not the most pleasant if there is lymphopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, as well as any diseases accompanied by high temperature and a feverish state. If chest irradiation is to be performed, cardiovascular or respiratory distress as well as pneumonia.
Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery is indicated for those people who differ in the health of the central nervous system and genitourinary system... They must not tolerate acute diseases, have pustules, allergic rashes or skin inflammation. There are also conditions, for example, anemia cannot be considered a contraindication if bleeding goes from the tumor. Indeed, after the first sessions of therapy, bleeding may stop.
Unexpected risk
Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery may be an unjustified risk if the patient has a history of tuberculosis. The fact is that irradiation makes possible an exacerbation of a dormant infection from latent foci. But at the same time, closed forms of tuberculosis will not be considered a contraindication, although they will require drug treatment during radiation therapy.
Accordingly, exacerbation will be possible subject to the existing inflammatory process, purulent foci, bacterial or viral infections.
Based on the foregoing, it can be revealed that the use of radiation therapy is determined by specific circumstances based on a combination of arguments. In particular, the criteria will be the expected timing of the manifestation of the results and the probable life expectancy of the patient.
Specific goals
Tumor tissue is very sensitive to radiation exposure... And therefore, radiation therapy has become widespread. Treatment of oncology with radiation therapy is carried out with the aim of damaging cancer cells and their subsequent death. The impact is carried out both on the primary tumor and on the isolated metastases. Also, the goal may be to limit the aggressive growth of cells with the possible transfer of the tumor to an operable state. Also, to prevent the occurrence of metastases in cells, radiation therapy in oncology can be recommended. The consequences, reviews and attitude in sick people differ in polarity, since, in fact, it implies irradiation of the body in order to destroy damaged cells. How will this affect your health? Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict with accuracy, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.
Varieties of therapy
With an eye to the properties and sources of the beam, the different kinds radiation therapy in oncology. These are alpha, beta, gamma therapy, as well as neutron, pi-meson and proton therapy. There is also X-ray and electronic therapy. For every type of cancer radiation exposure gives a unique effect, since cells behave differently depending on the degree of damage and the severity of the disease. With equal success, you can count on a complete cure or absolutely zero result.
When choosing the method of irradiation, the location of the tumor plays an important role, since it can be located near vital important organs or vessels. Internal irradiation is performed when a radioactive substance is placed into the body through the alimentary tract, bronchi, bladder or the vagina. Also, the substance can be injected into the vessels or by contact during surgery.
But external radiation goes through the skin. It can be general or area-focused. Radiation sources can be radioactive chemical substances or special medical equipment. If external and internal irradiation is performed simultaneously, then it is called combined radiation therapy. By the distance between the skin and the beam source, distant, close-focus and contact irradiation is distinguished.
Algorithm of actions
But how is radiation therapy done for oncology? Treatment begins with histological confirmation of the presence of a tumor. Already on the basis of this document, tissue accessory, localization and clinical stage... The radiologist, based on these data, calculates the radiation dose and the number of sessions required for treatment. All calculations can now be performed automatically, since there are appropriate computer programs... The available evidence also helps to determine whether radiation therapy should be used in combination with or without other methods. If the treatment is combined, then radiation can be carried out both before and after the operation. According to the standard, the duration of the course of radiation before the operation should be no more than three weeks. During this time, radiation therapy can significantly reduce the size of the tumor. In oncology, reviews of this method are very polarized, since the effect remains unpredictable. It also happens that the body literally repels radiation or accepts it in healthy cells, and not sick.
If radiation therapy is performed after surgery, then it can last from a month to two.
Side effects of the procedure
After the start of the course of treatment, the sick person may feel weak, chronic fatigue... His appetite decreases, his mood worsens. Accordingly, he can lose a lot of weight. Changes can be observed by tests - the number of erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes decreases in the blood. In some cases, the place of contact with the beam may swell and become inflamed. This can lead to ulcers.
Until recently, irradiation was carried out without taking into account the fact that healthy cells could also get into the zone of action. However, science is moving forward and intraoperative radiation therapy has appeared in breast oncology. The essence of the technique is that the irradiation process can be started at the stage of the operation, that is, after excision, the beam can be directed to the site of intervention. Efficiency in this matter allows you to minimize the likelihood of a residual tumor, since it is neutralized.
With a breast tumor, a woman always has a risk that she will have to part with her breast. This prospect is often even more frightening than fatal disease... Breast reconstruction by intervention plastic surgeons too expensive for the average woman. Therefore, women turn to radiation therapy as a salvation, since it can allow them to limit themselves to excision of the tumor itself, and not to completely remove the gland. Potential germination sites will be treated with rays.
The effect of radiation therapy directly depends on the patient's health, his mood, available side diseases and the depth of penetration of radiological beams. Often the effects of radiation appear in those patients who have undergone a long course of treatment. Minor pains may manifest for a long time- it is the affected muscle tissue that reminds of itself.
The main problem of women
According to statistics, radiation therapy in uterine oncology is the most common method of treatment. This pathology is found in older women. I must say that the uterus is a multi-layered organ, and cancer affects the walls, spreading to other organs and tissues. In recent years, uterine cancer has also occurred among young women, which doctors often explain early start sexual activity and carelessness in relation to protection. If you "catch" the disease on early stage, then it can be cured completely, but in the later period it can be achieved complete remission will not succeed, but following the recommendations of the oncologist, you can extend a person's life.
The treatment of uterine cancer is based on surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The bonus is hormonal treatment, special diet and immunotherapy. If the cancer is actively progressing, then excision is not the correct method. The best results can be achieved with radiation. The procedure is prohibited for anemia, radiation sickness, multiple metastases and other ailments.
Radiotherapy techniques may differ in the distance between the source and the affected area. The softest of all is contact radiotherapy, since it involves an internal effect: a catheter is inserted into the vagina. At the same time, healthy tissues are practically not affected. Could the transferred oncology be harmless in this case? After radiation therapy, after removal of the uterus and other unpleasant procedures, the woman is weak and vulnerable, so she categorically needs to reconsider her lifestyle and diet.
The uterus is removed if the tumor has grown strongly and has affected the entire organ. Alas, in this situation, the possibility of further procreation is called into question. But this is not the time to regret, since so drastic measures will extend the life of a sick woman. Now you need to reduce intoxication, which is carried out by drinking plenty of fluids, taking plant foods and vitamin complexes with the lion's share of antioxidants. Protein food should be introduced into the diet gradually, focusing on fish, chicken or rabbit meat. Bad habits must be eliminated once and for all, and introduced as a rule preventive visits to the oncologist.
It is worth including in the diet foods that have anti-cancer effects. These include potatoes, cabbage in all varieties, onions, herbs and various spices. You can focus on meals made from cereals or whole grains. Soybeans, asparagus and peas are held in high esteem. Beans, beets, carrots, and fresh fruits are also helpful. It is still better to replace meat with fish and eat more often dairy products low fat content. But the ban covers all alcoholic beverages, strong tea, smoked meats and salinity, marinades. We'll have to say goodbye to chocolate, convenience foods and fast food.
Irradiation (radiation therapy, radiotherapy, radiation therapy) is the use of ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma radiation, beta radiation, neutron radiation) with the aim of damaging, destroying, killing cancer cells, as well as stopping the growth and reproduction of new mutated cells. Radiation is a localized treatment that usually affects only the part of the body where the radiation was directed.
As mentioned above, after irradiation, cancer cells are damaged, although radiation in the same way can affect healthy cells in the body. Based on this, cancer after radiation may be accompanied by some complications arising as side effects (depending on the part of the body on which the irradiation was carried out; on the site of localization malignant neoplasm).
What is radiation therapy for cancer?
Radiation is a method of treating cancer using high-energy radiation (specifically X-rays). The type of radiation exposure, as well as its amount, must be carefully calculated (in such an amount that radiation can damage abnormal cells) before starting therapy by the team of treating oncologists. During the treatment of oncology, radiation leads to a stop of the division of cancer cells and, as a result, their number will decrease.
Benefits of irradiation
As we already know, the goal of radiation therapy is to destroy mutated cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Also, radiation can be used to treat any type of oncology, in almost any part of the body. In some cases, irradiation can be carried out as a separate one, but nevertheless, it is most often used in combination with other methods of fighting cancer.
Irradiation can be performed both before and after surgical treatment(before - to reduce the size of the tumor, after - to stop the growth of cancer cells that could remain after surgical excision of the malignant neoplasm). It can also be done during or after chemotherapy or hormone therapy to improve overall results.
Despite the fact that this treatment is sometimes called radical, radiation therapy is designed to provide a long-term effect for the person with cancer.
This palliative treatment aims to shrink the tumor, reduce pain, and relieve other symptoms of cancer. In addition, palliative radiation therapy can prolong the life of a cancer patient.
Cancer after radiation exposure - what to expect? Consequences and complications
As already mentioned, radiation can damage and destroy normal cells, as well as cause some side effects during the breakdown of cancer cells. Most of these side effects are temporary, rarely severe, and do not pose a particular threat to the general condition and life of the patient. Remember, your doctor will not advise you to be exposed to radiation if the risks and complications outweigh the results. Also, the attending physician is obliged to inform you if this treatment in your case may adversely affect your health and provoke certain consequences. You must get all the information you need in writing.
If a female individual is exposed to radiation, then at the time of therapy she should in no case be in a position, since radiation therapy can greatly harm the unborn child, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. The doctor is obliged to inform you in advance about all the pros and cons of this treatment, about the possible consequences and complications that may arise after irradiation, as well as provide written information about this.
Loading ...