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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Radiation Therapy
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is controlled use of radiation to stop the
growth of cancer cells. Cancer cells are more susceptible
to radiation than normal cells. About half of cancer
patients have radiation therapy at some point in their
treatment.
When is it used?
In some types of cancer, radiation therapy is used for cure.
Hodgkin's disease and certain kinds of tumors of the
testicles, head, neck, and uterine cervix are some of the
cancers that can be cured with radiation.
Radiation therapy may be used to control the spread of a
cancer when a tumor cannot be removed by surgery. Or it may
be used to control the symptoms of a cancer that has spread.
Sometimes radiation therapy is used before surgery to
destroy cancer cells around the edges of the tumor.
What happens during the procedure?
Radiation can be delivered to a tumor either externally or
internally.
For external radiation, a machine directs a beam of
radiation at the tumor. Temporary marks on the skin help
the radiation technologist target the exact area to be
treated. The radiation oncologist calculates the dose of
radiation to use on the tumor. (A radiation oncologist is a
doctor who specializes in treating tumors with radiation.)
Each radiation treatment lasts just a few minutes. The
total dose is given over several weeks. This allows normal
tissues affected by the radiation to recover. You may have
treatment for several days in a row, followed by several
days without treatment. This pattern is repeated until you
have received the total dose of radiation.
Internal radiation involves implanting radioactive materials
in the part of the body to be treated. These materials are
left in place for a few hours or many hours, depending on
the technology used for the treatment. Once implanted, the
radioactive materials generally do not cause any pain. If
you have any discomfort, you will be given pain medication.
If you have a radiation implant, you must stay in your
hospital room while the implant is in place. Depending on
the type of implant, you may be asked to stay in bed.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
The procedure can cure the cancer or lessen long-term
problems by controlling the symptoms of cancer or its
spread.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
If you have a radiation implant, radiation is released from
the implant while it is in place. This doesn't make you
radioactive. However, while your implant is in place other
people at close range are exposed to small doses of
radiation. Visitors and hospital staff can spend time in
your room as long as they aren't too close and don't stay
too long. Hospital staff members may wear a lead apron or
shield because they are exposed to radiation more often than
your visitors.
The body tissues that are most likely to have side effects
from radiation are the skin; the lining of the mouth,
stomach, and intestine; and the bone marrow. For example,
if radiation is delivered to your neck, it may cause your
mouth to be dry. Pelvic radiation therapy may cause
diarrhea and may irritate your bladder. Most symptoms go
away after your body's cells heal.
Some general side effects that often occur during or soon
after radiation therapy are fatigue, nausea, and sometimes
vomiting, depending on the area treated. These symptoms are
thought to be caused by destruction of tumor cells. The
effects are temporary.
There are uncommon but severe complications of radiation
therapy. However, cancer can be a life-threatening illness
and drastic measures may be necessary. You will need to
balance the risks and benefits.
When should I call my health care provider?
Call your health care provider right away if:
- You develop a fever.
- You have any change or worsening of pain or symptoms.
Call your provider during office hours if you have questions
about the procedure or its result.
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