Radiation Therapy
There are a number of methods that doctors use that are effective in the treatment of different kinds of cancer. One of the most common practices in healthcare for the treatment of cancer is the use of radiation therapy. This type of treatment uses a high dosage of radiation to eliminate cancer cells and stop them from metastasizing, or spreading, to other areas of the body. Radiation waves are most commonly used in low doses in x-ray machines in order for doctors to view organs and bones inside of the body. The only difference in these circumstances is that for cancer treatment, radiation is given at much higher doses.
Radiation can be performed both internally an externally. Externally, a machine sends a beam of radiation into the cancer cells. Internally, on the other hand, radioactive seeds are placed inside the body, near or on the cancer cells. Depending on the circumstance of the patient and what method is most effective for the patient, the doctor may administer both of these types of radiation. The radiation treatments are not necessarily immediately effective. The treatment may take days or weeks for the cancer cells to be eliminated throughout the body. Radiation therapy may end, and cancer cells may still be dying off at that time. This form of therapy does not hurt when administered, but may contain side effects such as pain and discomfort. In most cases, radiation therapy not only eliminates cancer cells from re-growth and movement, but can also shrink tumor size, alleviating pressure and different kinds of pain.
Amidst killing off unhealthy cells, radiation therapy can also eliminate healthy cells that may be surrounding that area. Fortunately, doctors have concluded that healthy cells regenerate after being killed off by the therapy. There are many ways that doctors have determined to keep healthy cells alive during this process. Some of these methods include using low doses of radiation to balance the amount that is being killed off with those that remain healthy, spreading out treatment o allow normal cells time to recover and using different types of medicines to protect vital parts of the body. The radiation therapy team will work with the patient to adhere to their needs while receiving the therapy. Different patients require different methods of distribution and the therapy process will be modified according to the patients needs.
Last modified: December 17 2007.
