It is one of the most common treatments used to cure cancer. It is globally used in modern cancer care. It basically uses ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, x-rays and other energy particles to eliminate the cancerous cells. Generally, these high energy rays are meant to eliminate the DNA from cancerous cells. It prevents them from spreading and growing further into your body. When the cancerous cells are eliminated, your body naturally starts to remove them over time. You should know that radiation therapy is often used as one of the main treatments to cure cancer. It is often used alone in some types of tumors. In some cases, it can also be used alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. This way, it improves the overall effectiveness of treatment. For instance, radiotherapy in some cases can help to shrink a tumor before surgery. In other cases, it can help to eliminate the remaining cancerous cells after a surgery. In this blog, you will know everything about radiation therapy and how it works.
What It Does In Your Body
It is important to know that DNA is responsible for how your cells grow, divide and function in your body. Radiation therapy is used to damage the DNA in cancerous cells. Once the radiation eliminates this DNA, cancer cells no longer have the ability to multiply and grow. Over time, they either stop splitting or eventually die. Generally, nearby healthy cells can be affected by radiation. However, normal cells can repair their DNA damage while cancer cells can’t repair themselves effectively. That is why it is easy to eliminate them during treatment. Generally, radiation therapy takes place through multiple sessions often referred to as fractions. They are spread over days and weeks. It allows your body to properly recover while weakening and destroying the cancerous cells.
Types of Radiotherapy
There are many types of radiotherapy depending on the condition, type, location and stage of your cancer. External beam radiation therapy is one of the most common types used to treat several types of cancer. In this type, a machine points radiation beams at the cancer from outside of your body. Internal radiation therapy often referred to as brachytherapy is another type. What happens if a radioactive material is placed directly within the tumor? This way, the high energy rays of radiation affect your cancer area more precisely. Another type is systemic radiation therapy, which basically allows radioactive drugs to spread through your bloodstream. Its goal is to find and eliminate cancerous cells across different parts of your body.
When You Should Use Radiation Therapy
In today’s world, radiation therapy is an important part of modern cancer care. It is mainly used to treat several conditions. Generally, it is the main treatment used to cure cancer, especially when your cancer is diagnosed early. It can be used alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery to improve the overall effectiveness of treatment. In many cases, radiotherapy can help to shrink the tumor before your surgery. In other conditions, it can also be used to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells in your body after surgery. Radiation therapy is practiced under medical specialists to ensure that only cancerous areas are targeted. It can also be used in advanced stages to relieve symptoms like bleeding and pain caused by tumors. It is the responsibility of doctors to determine the best treatment plan based on the tumor’s location, size, stage and type of cancer.
How It Works
Initially, doctors begin radiation therapy with a planning session called simulation. During this session, imaging scans like MRI and CT are used to locate the position, shape and size of the tumor. Specialists determine a detailed treatment plan based on this session that directs radiation accurately at your cancer without damaging nearby healthy cells. Each treatment session requires you to lie down on a treatment table while the machine directs the radiation to the cancerous area. The process itself is painless and does not last much longer. Generally, one session lasts only a few minutes. Radiation therapy is usually practiced 5 days a week for several weeks based on the stage and type of the cancer.
Possible Side-Effects
There are some side effects of radiation therapy that can be caused depending on the dosage of radiation and targeted part of your body. Some of the most common side effects of radiation therapy include skin irritation on the targeted area, which basically turns red, sensitive and dry. It also causes severe fatigue. In many cases, it may also cause you to lose hair in the area that receives radiation. It can cause vomiting, nausea and digestive problems in the case of abdominal treatment. In case you receive radiation on your neck or throat, you may experience difficulty in swallowing or soreness. You should know that many healthcare professionals monitor patients during treatment to reduce these symptoms. They usually improve after treatment over time.
Why Radiation Therapy Is Beneficial
It is important to note that radiation therapy is a precise treatment. It focuses on eliminating the cancerous cells without damaging the nearby healthy cells. One of its main benefits includes its ability to shrink tumors and gradually stop the growth of cancer. In many types of cancer, radiation therapy is known to improve survival rates if used alongside other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. Alongside treatment, it also helps to relieve certain symptoms such as bleeding, pain and pressure from the tumor. It is also beneficial for improving the overall quality of life during treatment. Due to modern technology, it is easier and safer for medical professionals to direct radiation more accurately.
Closing Thoughts
Globally, radiation therapy is a convenient and widely used method to treat cancer. It helps to eliminate the DNA of cancerous cells from the body. It basically prevents them from splitting and growing further. Radiation therapy can be used either alone or alongside other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy, depending on the condition and type of cancer. With the help of modern medical technology, it is much easier and safer to practice radiation therapy. Over time, the accuracy of radiation has also improved, resulting in effective treatment and better outcomes. I hope you find this blog helpful in understanding radiation therapy and its working.
FAQs About Radiation Therapy
How many sessions of radiation are usually practiced?
It depends on the severity and location. The type of cancer also matters. Usually, the sessions for radiotherapy typically range between 11 – 39, based on five days a week over multiple weeks. In the case of palliative care, the sessions usually range between 1 – 10.
What types of cancer does radiotherapy treat?
It can be used to treat several types of cancers either alone or alongside other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. These types include brain tumors and prostate cancer. It also treats other types such as rectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer alongside head or neck cancers.
What are the precautions during radiotherapy?
It is important to attend every session and follow your doctor’s instructions. Also, only take prescribed medications from your doctor during treatment. It is also essential to take care of targeted skin and keep it away from exposure of sunlight. It is also important to eat a healthy diet and report symptoms to your doctor on an immediate basis.
Does insurance cover radiation therapy?
Generally, radiotherapy is often covered through health insurance especially when it’s prescribed for cancer treatment. The insurance usually covers consultation with oncologists and radiation specialists, simulation scans before treatment, primary radiotherapy sessions and after care and monitoring of treatment.
When should you seek medical help during treatment?
It is essential to seek immediate medical help if you experience certain symptoms or changes during radiotherapy. These symptoms include worsening of skin irritation and skin burns at the targeted area. It includes nausea, swelling, vomiting, increased fatigue and difficulty in breathing.
