Radiation therapy (RT) uses ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells and stop their growth and reproduction, typically given five days per week for several weeks.
Reproductive therapy (RT) can be painful, but it usually reduces or eliminates symptoms and lengthens life. Furthermore, it limits late side effects that arise months or years post-treatment.
Dose
Radiation therapy employs high-energy ionizing particles or radiation-emitting beams to target cancer cells and shrink tumors. Modern radiation therapy typically has very limited risks of side effects that are usually limited to the area being treated; dose-dependent side effects may occur and these vary based on your health status and treatment type; it is important that you work closely with both your physician and medical physicist in understanding how each aspect of radiotherapy impacts on your wellbeing.
Your doctor will prescribe a specific total radiation dose that will be delivered over multiple treatment sessions (fractions). This dose is known as therapeutic or target dose and will also specify maximum radiation dosage, which is the amount that can reach an area being treated without serious side effects occurring. Your physician may suggest taking breaks between sessions in order to rest and recuperate.
Radiation-induced cell damage remains unclear, although its exact mechanisms remain under study. Most effects are indirect and result from free radical intermediaries produced through radiolysis of water molecules in cellular structures; ultimately this leads to double-stranded breaks in nuclear deoxyribose nucleic acid leading to cell senescence and eventually cell death.
People commonly assess sun exposure based on how red or burned their skin becomes, an effect caused by direct ionizing radiation striking it directly. A higher radiation dose leads to more immediate, yet not permanent damage;
One way to minimize radiation-related side effects is to deliver your dose as rapidly and completely as possible. This is accomplished using modern radiation delivery machines equipped with linear accelerators that quickly release high-energy X-rays over a short distance within your body – these machines can deliver therapeutic doses in mere fractions of seconds!
Radiation therapy may also be administered using proton or carbon ion beams to precisely target lesion lesions. With these beams, energetic ionizing particles are directed toward target tissues where their energy deposition increases with movement toward tumor and then rapidly declines as it nears its goal; this enables radiation oncologists to deliver higher doses in less time while simultaneously decreasing treatment sessions and their related side effects.
Fractionation
Conventional radiation therapy delivers doses in daily sessions called fractions, giving normal tissues time to recover between each treatment session. Furthermore, gradual administration of tumor-destroying doses over time reduces toxicity to healthy tissue.
Radiation therapy works to eradicate cancerous cells by bombarding them with high-energy particles that damage DNA and lead to their demise. Since tumor cells proliferate faster than healthy tissues, they are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of radiation therapy. To reduce radiation absorbed by normal tissue, radiation beams are designed to intersect only at the tumor site and spare as much surrounding tissue as possible. To achieve this goal, your radiation oncologist uses computer-generated simulation films or anatomic models as guides for each treatment session. Simulations are used to validate the placement of radiation beams over target areas and identify crucial structures that must be protected against radiation exposure. Shields (such as lead trays or blocks) are placed around these structures to protect them from receiving unnecessary doses.
At first, radiation’s most visible side effects include direct damage to normal tissues. These symptoms include dry mouth and eyes (xerostomia), changes in skin texture, hair loss and appetite loss. Over time, however, long-term radiation exposure may lead to permanent alteration of normal tissues including fibrotic compression of nerves resulting in indirect peripheral neuropathy such as pelvic nerve neuropathy as well as skeletal muscle weakness.
Recovery time after radiation therapy varies greatly, depending on an individual’s health history, cancer type and stage. Most patients can continue with work and leisure activities during and after radiation treatments, though they may find they tire easily or need extra rest than usual. People treated for cancers of the head/neck/genital tract may need to delay sexual activity for some time after therapy; your radiation oncologist will discuss this with you and provide tailored instructions specific to your situation.
Position
Stereotactic body radiation therapy, more commonly referred to as SRS or SBRT, utilizes linear accelerators or Gamma Knife-type devices to deliver beams from multiple angles around an area being treated. Your radiation therapist may use marks or tattoos, alignment lasers, moulded under-leg moulds or foam wedges as aids to help accurately position you on the treatment table; then after they leave the room they leave you alone while lying under the machine for treatment.
Schedule
Radiation therapy depends on the type of cancer and its location. Treatment typically occurs five days per week for several weeks; however, your team may recommend less or more sessions depending on individual circumstances.
Before beginning radiation sessions, a process known as simulation must take place. You’ll lie on an exam table while your radiation oncologist uses a computer to pinpoint exactly which areas to target with beams. Imaging tests such as CT scans may be performed; you may even swallow or be given injections with contrast to improve image quality. Furthermore, body molds or immobilization devices might be fitted that help ensure you remain in an appropriate position during each session.
Once your simulation session is over, your radiation oncologist will use its findings and your prior medical records to formulate an individualized treatment plan tailored specifically for you. They may consult with other providers as necessary before reaching this decision.
As soon as your external beam radiation treatments start, each session should take around 30 minutes. Most of this time will be dedicated to getting you in the appropriate position on the treatment table and connecting you with an audio and video connection with your radiation therapist and linear accelerator machine. You might hear some buzzing sound as they move closer towards reaching their targeted area on your body.
As your radiation therapy progresses, your radiation oncologist and nurses will monitor you on an ongoing basis to assess how you’re responding to radiation therapy and any side effects you might be experiencing. These meetings are known as “status” sessions; your care team will discuss any adverse reactions such as skin or hair changes which might arise as part of your care.
Your team may offer tips to reduce or eliminate any side effects you’re experiencing and offer other treatments (for instance medications or diet changes) which might assist. Radiation sessions can be difficult to fit into your life if you have children, work obligations or travel commitments; depending on your situation flexible schedules may be possible or leaving work during certain treatments may be an option; you should seek assistance if required including transportation/lodging help (if living far away or depending on others for transportation to appointments) respite care assistance or transportation/lodging/lodging support services as needed.
