Radiation therapy

Treatment of malignant neoplasms in the human body is aimed at the destruction of pathologically active cancer cells. Radiation therapy allows very quickly to eliminate them and stop the growth of the tumor, but it is associated with complications, since damage to healthy tissues during the procedure can not be avoided.

Radiation therapy of malignant tumors

Ionizing radiation radiation affects pathological cells in two ways. First, radiotherapy promotes the modification of water molecules, which is the basis of the cytoplasm of any organic formation, into peroxides and radicals, thereby provoking destruction of the cell structure. Secondly, radiation damages the DNA of the tumor by ionizing all its atoms.

As can be seen, radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer is one of the most effective ways to stop the growth of neoplasm, and also to prevent metastasis. Thanks to the described method of treatment, active cell division is blocked, and their destructive effect on the organism stops.

How is radiation therapy performed?

To date, there are three types of procedure:

In the first case, healthy tissue is located between the tumor and the radiator. Despite the high accuracy and the ability to focus modern devices for radiotherapy, there is damage to the surrounding cells. This provokes a lot of negative side effects, but at the same time, the method is very common because of its availability and versatility, as well as fast treatment results.

Radionuclide therapy involves the introduction directly into the human blood of a pharmacological drug, which, accumulating only in pathological cells, will destroy the tumor. Sometimes the agent is injected into the tissue of the tumor by injection.

The latter type of exposure is used during surgery or with tumors located close to the surface of the skin. Contact therapy allows you to perform the most accurate and focused irradiation without damaging neighboring healthy cells.

Radiation therapy - side effects

Separate the local and systemic effects of radiation therapy. Local side effects are manifested in the form of burns, hemorrhages, fragility of blood vessels and arteries in areas of exposure, ulceration of surfaces that have undergone ionizing radiation exposure.

Systemic consequences are due to the body's response to the breakdown of damaged cells:

To reduce the above-mentioned manifestations, a number of supportive measures are necessary, one of which is a special diet.

Nutrition for radiation therapy

Mainly, we should concentrate on healthy natural products that ensure a balanced diet and intake of all vitamins and trace elements in sufficient quantities. In addition, it is necessary to exclude saturated fats, sugar, lactose from the diet, as well as sharp, fried, smoked, confectionery, carbonated drinks and coffee.

Preferred products:

Recovery after radiation therapy

Negative effects of radiation exposure gradually disappear, usually within 2-3 months. For a full recovery it is important to adhere to the described diet, as well as follow the recommendations of the treating oncologist.