Radiation therapy in oncology. Consequences of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy in oncology is a method of treating tumor diseases with the help of ionizing radiation. The consequences are much less than the benefits that it brings in the fight against the tumor. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of half of cancer patients.

Radiotherapy (radiotherapy) is a method of treatment in which a stream of ionized radiation is used. These can be gamma rays, beta rays or X-rays. These types of rays are able to actively affect cancer cells, leading to a breakdown in their structure, mutation and, ultimately, death. Although the effect of ionized radiation is harmful to healthy cells of the body, their susceptibility to radiation is less, which allows them to survive despite irradiation. In oncology, radiation therapy negatively affects the expansion of tumor processes and slows the growth of malignant tumors. Oncology after radiation therapy is becoming less of a problem, as in many cases there is an improvement in the patient's condition.

In addition to surgical intervention and chemotherapy, radiotherapy makes it possible to achieve complete recovery of patients. Although radiotherapy is sometimes used as the only method of therapy, it is often used in combination with other methods of fighting oncological diseases. Radiation therapy in oncology (patients' reviews as a whole are positive) has become a separate medical field these days.

Types of radiation therapy

Remote therapy is a type of treatment in which the radiation source is located outside the patient's body, at some distance. Prior to remote therapy, computer tomography can provide a possibility to plan and simulate the operation in 3D in order to more accurately actuate the rays on the tissues affected by the tumor.

Brachytherapy - the method of radiation therapy, in which the source of radiation is located in close proximity to the tumor or in its tissues. Among the merits of this technique can be called a reduction in the negative effects of irradiation on healthy tissues. In addition, with a point effect, it is possible to increase the dose of radiation.

To achieve the best results, in preparation for radiation therapy, the necessary dose of radiation exposure is calculated and planned.

Side effects

Radiation therapy in oncology, the consequences of which a person feels for a long time, still can save a life.

The reaction of each person to radiation therapy is individual. Therefore, all the side effects that can occur are very difficult to predict. We list the most common symptoms:

• Impairment of appetite. Most patients complain of poor appetite. It is necessary to eat in small quantities, but often. The question of nutrition in case of lack of appetite can be discussed with the attending physician. The organism undergoing radiation therapy needs energy and nutrients.
• Nausea. One of the main reasons for the decrease in appetite is nausea. Most often, this symptom can be found in patients who undergo radiation therapy in the abdominal cavity. This may cause vomiting. The doctor should be informed immediately about the situation. Perhaps the patient will need an antiemetic.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea often occurs as a result of treatment with radiation therapy. In case of diarrhea, you need to use as much fluid as possible to prevent dehydration. This symptom should also be reported to the doctor in charge.
• Weakness. During the course of radiotherapy, patients significantly decrease their activity, experiencing apathy and being in poor health. With this situation, virtually all patients who have undergone radiotherapy are facing. It is especially difficult for patients to visit the hospital, which must be periodically done. For this period of time, it is not necessary to plan cases that take away physical and moral strength, you should leave the maximum time for rest.
• Skin problems. In 1-2 weeks after the beginning of radiation therapy, the skin, which has appeared in the radiation exposure zone, begins to turn red and flake off. Sometimes patients complain of itching and pain. In this case, you should use ointments (on the recommendation of a radiologist), Panthenol aerosol, cream and lotions for the care of baby skin, give up cosmetic products. Strongly irritated skin is strictly prohibited. The site of the body where skin irritation has occurred, it is necessary to wash only with cool water, temporarily refusing to take baths. It is necessary to save the skin from the influence of direct sunlight and wear clothes using natural fabrics. These actions will help to remove irritation of the skin and reduce pain.

Reduction of side effects

After taking a course of radiation therapy, the doctor will give recommendations on how to behave at home, taking into account the features of your case, in order to minimize side effects.

Anyone who knows what radiation therapy is in oncology, the consequences of this treatment are also good for themselves. Those patients who are treated with radiation therapy from a tumor disease should adhere to the doctor's recommendations, promoting successful treatment and trying to improve their health.

Key recommendations:

• Give more time to rest and sleep. Treatment requires a lot of extra energy, and you can quickly get tired. The state of general weakness sometimes lasts another 4-6 weeks after the treatment is over.
• Eat well, trying to prevent weight loss.
• Do not wear tight clothes with tight collars or belts in areas exposed to radiation. It is better to prefer old suits in which you feel comfort.
• Be sure to inform the attending physician of all the medications you take so that he can take it into account in the treatment.

Carrying out radiation therapy

The main direction of radiation therapy is to maximize the effect on tumor formation, minimally affecting other tissues. To achieve this, the doctor needs to accurately determine where the tumor process is located, so that the direction and depth of the beam can achieve the goals. This area is called the irradiation field. When remote irradiation is performed, a label is placed on the skin, which indicates the area of radiation exposure. All adjacent areas and other parts of the body are protected by screens of lead. The session during which the irradiation is performed lasts several minutes, and the number of such sessions is determined by the radiation dose, which in turn depends on the nature of the tumor and the type of tumor cells. During the session, the patient does not experience unpleasant sensations. During the procedure, the patient is in the room alone. The doctor monitors the course of the procedure through a special window or with the help of a video camera, being in the next room.

According to the type of neoplasm, radiotherapy is either used as an independent method of treatment, or is part of a complex therapy together with surgical intervention or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is used topically to irradiate individual parts of the body. Often, it contributes to a significant reduction in the size of the tumor or leads to a complete cure.

Duration

The time for which the course of radiotherapy is calculated is determined by the specificity of the disease, the doses and the irradiation method used. Gamma therapy often lasts 6-8 weeks. During this time the patient has time to take 30-40 procedures. Most often, radiation therapy does not require the patient to be hospitalized and well tolerated. Some indications require radiotherapy in a hospital.

The duration of the course of treatment and the dose of irradiation are directly dependent on the type of illness and the degree of neglect of the process. The duration of treatment with intracavitary irradiation lasts much less. It can consist of fewer procedures and rarely lasts more than four days.

Indications for use

Radiation therapy in oncology is used in the treatment of tumors of any etiology.

Among them:

• Brain cancer;
• Breast cancer;
• cervical cancer;
• Laryngeal cancer;
• lung cancer;
• pancreas cancer;
• prostate cancer;
• Cancer of the spine;
• skin cancer;
• Soft tissue sarcoma;
• stomach cancer.

Irradiation is used in the treatment of lymphoma and leukemia.

Sometimes radiation therapy can be carried out for preventive purposes without evidence of cancer. This procedure serves to prevent the development of cancer.

Dose of irradiation

The dose of irradiation is the volume of ionizing radiation absorbed by the tissues of the body. Previously, the unit for measuring the dose of radiation was rad. Now for this purpose serves as Gray. 1 Gray equals 100 times.

Different tissues tend to withstand different doses of radiation. So, the liver is able to withstand almost twice as much radiation as the kidneys. If the total dose is broken down and irradiated by the affected organ day after day, this will increase the damage to cancer cells and reduce the healthy tissue.

Treatment planning

A modern oncologist doctor knows everything about radiation therapy in oncology.

In the arsenal of the doctor there are many types of radiation and methods of irradiation. Therefore, properly planned treatment is the key to recovery.

With external radiation therapy, the oncologist uses the simulation to find the irradiation area. With simulation, the patient is located on the table, and the doctor determines one or more radiation ports. During the simulation, it is also possible to perform a computed tomography or other diagnostic method to determine the direction of the radiation.

The radiation zones are marked with special markers indicating the direction of the radiation.

In accordance with what type of radiation therapy is chosen, the patient is offered special corsets that help to fix different parts of the body, eliminating their movement during the procedure. Sometimes special protective screens are used to help protect neighboring tissues.

In accordance with the result of the simulation, specialists engaged in radiotherapy will decide on the necessary dose of radiation, the method of delivery and the number of sessions.

Diet

Recommendations for nutrition can avoid the side effects of the course of treatment or reduce their severity. This is especially important for radiation therapy in the pelvis and abdomen. Radiation therapy and diet in oncology have a number of features.

It is necessary to drink a large amount of liquid, up to 12 glasses a day. If the liquid is high in sugar, it must be diluted with water.

Food intake is fractional, 5-6 times a day in small doses. Food should be easily digested: it is necessary to exclude food containing coarse fibers, lactose and fats. This diet is desirable to observe another 2 weeks after the therapy. Then you can gradually introduce products with fibers: rice, bananas, apple juice, puree.

Rehabilitation

The use of radiation therapy affects both tumor and healthy cells. It is particularly harmful for cells that quickly divide (mucous membranes, skin, bone marrow). Irradiation generates free radicals in the body that can harm the body.

Now work is underway to find a way to make radiotherapy more targeted, so that it only acts on tumor cells. There was an installation of a gamma knife, used to treat tumors of the neck and head. It provides a very precise effect on small tumors.

Despite this, almost everyone who received radiotherapy, to varying degrees, suffer from radiation sickness. Pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, anemia - such symptoms eventually cause radiation therapy in oncology. Treatment and rehabilitation of patients after irradiation sessions is a big problem.

For rehabilitation, the patient needs rest, sleep, fresh air, adequate nutrition, use of stimulants of the immune system, detoxification facilities.

In addition to the health disorder, which is caused by a severe illness and severe treatment, patients experience depression. Rehabilitation activities are often required to include sessions with a psychologist. All these measures will help overcome the difficulties caused by radiation therapy in oncology. Feedback from patients who have undergone a course of procedures, indicate the undoubted benefit of the technique, despite the side effects.