Radiation therapy works to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors by damaging their DNA, and is widely used as a cancer treatment option. Radiation can also help prepare the body for surgery or relieve symptoms after other therapies; radiation can even be given alongside chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments to increase effectiveness, as well as with surgery and other therapies, to increase chances of successful outcome.<\/p>\n
Radiation therapy involves targeting tumors either from outside the body using machines, or it can be placed inside via seeds, ribbons or capsules containing radiation sources – this form of radiation treatment is known as brachytherapy and it’s used for cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate and eye as well as any cancer which has spread elsewhere in the body.<\/p>\n
Dr. Clifford Cho of University of Michigan Health-West and Van Andel Institute employs histotripsy, an innovative form of radiofrequency ablation therapy, to target liver tumors and other malignancies at University. At a recent public lecture he shared how it works as well as its potential role in improving cancer care.<\/p>\n
Radiotherapy (also referred to as radiation therapy) utilizes high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, and may be combined with surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments in order to increase its chances of success. Radiation may be given either before, during, or after these other therapies for maximum effectiveness.<\/p>\n
There are two primary forms of radiation therapy: external beam and internal. With external beam therapy, a machine directs radiation toward your tumor from several directions at once; as this form can damage skin and other parts of your body as well, you must wear a mask over your eyes and throat to shield yourself.<\/p>\n
Radiation works by damaging cancer cell DNA, stopping them from growing or dividing. It may kill them directly or cause them to break down so they are cleared away by immune systems. For optimal results, treatments must take place over multiple visits over days or weeks; as a result, you must visit our clinic regularly for sessions.<\/p>\n
Brachytherapy, another form of radiation therapy, involves using seeds, ribbons or capsules containing radiation sources to treat cancerous tumors. Brachytherapy is typically applied in treatment of head and neck cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer; but can also be used to treat gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors of the esophagus and certain forms of liver cancer.<\/p>\n
Cryoablation therapy, using cold to destroy tumors, may be used for cancer of the lung, pancreas, kidney, spine or bowel as well as nerve pain relief.<\/p>\n
Radiofrequency ablation therapy employs heat to kill tumors. A surgeon uses radio frequency ablation by inserting a needle electrode into the tumor, then passing high-frequency electrical currents through it at high frequencies to heat it up to an extremely high temperature, killing off cancerous cells while at the same time damaging other ones. Once finished, they remove the electrode before providing patients with either a CT scan or an MRI to assess whether their tumor has shrunk significantly or requires further treatments.<\/p>\n
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors, and may be used alone or combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other therapies to combat disease. Radiation may also be given before or during surgery to increase its effectiveness and lower the risk of cancer recurrence. Radiation treatments can be given from outside of the body (called external radiation) or directly injected into tumors via brachytherapy; additionally it can also be delivered internally through radioembolization for liver cancer treatment and certain gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.<\/p>\n
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute was the first facility in Michigan and West Michigan to use the TheraBionic P1 device, which utilizes tumor-specific frequencies to block cancer cell growth without impacting healthy cells. At a recent public lecture hosted by University of Michigan Health-West chief medical officer Clifford Cho, he shared his clinical experience using this revolutionary technology to treat liver cancer.<\/p>\n
Side effects from cancer treatment refer to any issue that adversely impacts healthy tissues or organs, whether mild to severe. They may occur either during or after therapy and could last from temporary to long-term or even permanent consequences.<\/p>\n
Radiotherapy (also called radiation therapy) can kill or shrink cancer cells and stop their proliferation. Additionally, radiation therapy is sometimes used to relieve symptoms related to certain forms of cancer and should be given either prior to surgery or following other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. As with all therapies, radiation therapy could have potential side effects which should be planned for beforehand.<\/p>\n
Prevent any unexpected side effects from radiation therapy by talking with your physician or nurse beforehand, who can provide a chart with common ones and help prepare you. You should then use this as a way of knowing what to expect and discuss any concerns with them directly.<\/p>\n
Your radiation therapy treatment may leave you feeling exhausted, weak and achy at times, as the radiation damages red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout your body – potentially leading to anemia as a result. In addition, nausea and vomiting may arise.<\/p>\n
Some individuals can continue working while receiving radiation therapy; it’s wise to consult your employer and health insurer beforehand to understand all available options for you.<\/p>\n
At the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, the new patented TheraBionic P1 device offers another option for treating liver cancer at our center. As the first to provide this revolutionary treatment technology in Michigan and West Michigan, this groundbreaking piece of tech uses tumor-specific frequencies to treat disease. Slightly larger than a cell phone, you can use this innovative treatment solution at home or on-the-go three times daily for one-hour sessions.<\/p>\n