Well, people should know that radiation therapy is one of the best treatment means for destroying cancer. In general, a doctor targets high doses of radiation for killing cancer cells. Following that, an individual must know that radiation therapy for cancer is given after an adequate diagnosis. Besides that, a radiation oncologist may use this treatment for almost every cancer type. Ultimately, an individual may talk to the doctors of any best cancer hospitals in your city about radiation therapy. Also, you should know about the pros and cons of radiation therapy for cancer.
So, a reader can go through this article to know more about the use of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Moreover, one may come across several other means to treat cancer.
Table of Contents
How does Radiation Therapy kill Cancer?
People should understand that radiation therapy is the use of high-energy beams for shrinking tumors. Almost every cancer patient is given certain doses of radiation for destroying cancer cells. Moving on, an individual’s genetic material present inside the DNA can be destroyed with radiation.
But, a person’s healthy cells can also be affected by this form of cancer treatment. Many times, an individual’s injured cells can get recovered by themselves. So, one should consult a cancer specialist upon noticing any side effects of radiation therapy.
How many types of Radiation Therapy are there?
Cancer specialists may administer two types of radiation beams as per the patient’s health condition. Even a doctor may combine other therapies with radiation therapy for cancer.
So, the two types of radiation therapy may include:
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External beam radiation
People need to realize that external beam radiation is the most common kind of radiation therapy. Following that, a person receives radiation from a machine that is placed outside the body.
Moving on, a healthcare professional directs the radiation beam at the cancer site. However, one may use the term telepathy for external beam radiation.
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Internal beam radiation
Individuals should know about internal beam radiation that is used by a radiation oncologist for cancer treatment. Here, a person may use the term brachytherapy for it.
In addition to that, a doctor may place an implant at the cancer site during this procedure. Moreover, people may find different shapes of implants for extending internal beam radiation.
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Systemic Radiation Therapy
One must understand that systemic radiation therapy is a kind of internal beam radiation. In general, a person needs to swallow a radioactive substance during this procedure.
Moving on, an individual’s radioactive substance travels throughout the body to kill cancer. Many times, healthcare professionals inject a radioactive substance into a person’s vein.
How does radiation therapy work for cancer?
A cancer patient needs to realize that both internal, as well as external beam radiation, works similarly. An oncologist may direct this treatment to any one body part. Here, a doctor may direct high-energy radiation beams for cancer destruction. But, one should understand that both radiation therapies differ in the source of radiation.
Here, one’s brachytherapy may include radiation from an implant placed by a doctor. But, a person having external beam radiation can get radiation from a machine placed outside the body.
Why do doctors recommend radiation therapy?
Usually, a healthcare professional can recommend radiation therapy for several purposes. Here, an individual needs to understand the significance of radiation therapy for cancer as well.
So, doctors may recommend radiation therapy for the following reasons:
- Curing early stages of cancer
- Managing the symptoms of cancer
- Treating cancer’s recurrence
- Stopping cancer from spreading into distant body parts
How many kinds of cancer can be treated with Radiation Therapy?
A cancer specialist may use both external as well as internal beam radiation for treating multiple cancer types. Here, an individual need not doubt the efficiency of radiation therapy in treating cancer.
So, a doctor may treat certain cancer type that includes the following:
- Lung Cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Cancers of the head or neck
- Brain cancer
- Eye Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Skin cancer
What are the potential side effects of Radiation Therapy?
Cancer patients need to be aware of the potential side effects of radiation therapy. Usually, a person’s side effects may vary depending upon their general health.
Here, is a list of certain side effects of radiation therapy:
- Skin Changes
- Headache
- Blurry Vision
- Hair loss
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Concentration Problems
- Fatigue
- Hearing loss
- Cataract
However, people must accept the fact that the side effects of radiation therapy may vary from person to person. Still, an individual must understand the relevance of radiation therapy for cancer. But, one should contact a healthcare professional for managing its impacts.
What are the other treatment options for cancer?
A cancer specialist may look at cancer’s stage, location and size before deciding its treatment means. Here, an oncologist can go through extensive diagnostic tests for understanding cancer conditions. Moreover, patients can have their say in choosing the treatment means.
So, one’s treatment options for cancer may include the following:
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Surgery
A person’s cancer cells contained in a single area may demand surgery. Doctors may remove the entire tumor by performing surgery. Moreover, a person in his early stage of cancer may use this treatment procedure.
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Chemotherapy
Doctors may administer drugs or chemotherapy for the destruction of cancer cells. Here, a doctor can attain fast-growing cancer cells with this drug. Eventually, an oncologist may use various types of chemotherapy for attaining cancer.
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Immunotherapy
A cancer specialist may strengthen one’s immune system for fighting off cancer cells. Here, a person’s quality of life can be improved by going through immunotherapy.
Conclusion:
People should know that radiation therapy can be one of the best options for treating cancer. Following that, an individual must have an idea about different types of radiation therapy. Furthermore, a person needs to know about the side effects of this treatment as well. Besides that, an individual must know various treatment options for cancer. In doing so, one may discuss the relevant treatment means for treating cancer. Later on, one may consult the doctors of a Cancer hospital for this purpose.
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