Radiation therapy in oncology is one of the most effective methods of treating various cancers. It is based on ionizing radiation, created by a special apparatus with a strong radioactive source. It not only helps to reduce the tumor in size, but also completely eliminate it.
Types of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is often used in oncology, because it makes it possible to "beat" on the tumor. Cancer cells are sensitive to ionizing radiation. When irradiated, they are actively divided and a variety of mutations accumulate in the tumor, and the vessels that feed it are partially overgrown. As a result, she dies. In this case, normal cells do not practically perceive radiation, so do not suffer from it.
There are several types of radiation therapy in oncology:
- Remote - irradiation is carried out at a small distance from the skin.
- Contact - the device is located directly on the skin.
- Intracavitary - the device is injected directly into the injured organ (eg, esophagus, uterus, rectum ).
- The interstitial - the source of radioactive radiation is placed in the tumor.
Any kind of such irradiation can be used as the only method of treatment or simultaneously with other methods (chemotherapy or surgical intervention). Usually, radiation therapy in oncology is used after surgery to completely kill the remaining cancer cells, or before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor. The course of irradiation can be prescribed for cancer relapses after a short or long period of time.
Who is not eligible for radiotherapy?
Radiation therapy has many adverse reactions. In addition, the intestinal epithelium and the hematopoietic system are hypersensitive to irradiation. In some cases, recovery of the body after radiation therapy in oncology will be very difficult or even worse, the patient's condition will worsen. Therefore, radiation exposure can not be carried out with:
- expressed intoxication phenomena;
- fever;
- decay of a malignant tumor, which is accompanied by bleeding or hemoptysis;
- cachexia;
- germination of the tumor into large vessels or hollow organs;
- extensive cancer;
- multiple metastases;
- anemia;
- leukopenia ;
- thrombocytopenia.
Radiation therapy is also contraindicated for those who have other serious illnesses besides a tumor:
- myocardial infarction;
- respiratory insufficiency;
- pulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
Consequences of radiation therapy
At remote radioactive irradiation a patient appears:
- itching;
- dryness;
- peeling of the skin.
When exposed to the neck and head in most cases, the hair falls out of the patients and hearing is disturbed, sometimes there is a tickling in the throat, pain in swallowing and hoarse voice. The consequences of radiotherapy, which irradiates the organs in the thoracic cavity, are heavier. Patients develop dry cough, shortness of breath and tenderness of muscles.
Radioactive effects on the abdominal organs can lead to:
- weight loss;
- decreased appetite;
- violation of urination.
Many patients experience nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Radiation therapy with oncology of mammary glands provokes the onset of
When this method of treatment is combined with chemotherapy, neutropenia is observed - a sharp decrease in the level of leukocytes. Radioactive therapy can provoke cystitis and enhance cardiotoxicity. From the late consequences, the most common is:
- skin atrophy;
- growth retardation or severe bone deformation;
- desolation of lymphatic vessels;
- asymmetry of individual parts of the body.