What can radiation therapy cause?
Radiation, in its simplest term for a layman is a form of energy. There are two distinct types of radiation ionizing and non-ionizing. The term radiation is generally used for ionizing radiation only which means energy emitted is powerful enough to break atoms in to smaller parts. Radiation therapy, radiation oncology, or radiotherapy as it is called in different parts of the world is for medicinal use ionizing radiation generally for cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells.
Radiation therapy may help in curing cancer if the radiation is applied to cancerous tumor because of its ability to control the cell growth. Radiation works by damaging the DNA of the tissues that are exposed to radiation leading to cellular death. In doing so, the healthy tissues such as the skin, or the organs that the radiation must pass through may also get destroyed. To spare normal tissues, shaped radiation beams are used from several angles of exposure to intersect at the tumor which gives a much larger absorbed dose than the surrounding healthy tissue.
Radiation oncology is the radiation therapy which is prescribed for cure of certain types of cancer where other treatments do not work and can increase survival chances of the patient. The use of radiation therapy is also for non-malignant conditions but is limited because of worries of radiation induced cancers.
The treatment of cancer using radiation therapy can cause side effects some of which may be immediate or gradual as the radiation works. Usually side effects are felt around the radiation site; most side effects can be managed by talking to the nurse or physician.
Most side effects go away within 2 months after radiation therapy is finished. Late side effects may occur 6 months after radiation therapy is over and may depend on the part of the body that is treated. Every person is different so it's advisable to talk to the doctor or nurse for side effects related questions and to manage them.
Radiation therapy may help in curing cancer if the radiation is applied to cancerous tumor because of its ability to control the cell growth. Radiation works by damaging the DNA of the tissues that are exposed to radiation leading to cellular death. In doing so, the healthy tissues such as the skin, or the organs that the radiation must pass through may also get destroyed. To spare normal tissues, shaped radiation beams are used from several angles of exposure to intersect at the tumor which gives a much larger absorbed dose than the surrounding healthy tissue.
Radiation oncology is the radiation therapy which is prescribed for cure of certain types of cancer where other treatments do not work and can increase survival chances of the patient. The use of radiation therapy is also for non-malignant conditions but is limited because of worries of radiation induced cancers.
The treatment of cancer using radiation therapy can cause side effects some of which may be immediate or gradual as the radiation works. Usually side effects are felt around the radiation site; most side effects can be managed by talking to the nurse or physician.
- The common side effects of radiation are skin reaction and fatigue. Skin changes include irritation, dry scaly or peeling skin, blistering which happens because radiation affects the surrounding area where treatment is given.
- The common side effects of radiation in head and neck cancer are soreness in mouth and throat, dry mouth, changed sense of taste and smell, Hypothyroidism.
- Other less common side effects are Hair loss, Nausea/ vomiting, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Low blood counts, Lung fibrosis (can cause breathing problem), Heart complications (very rare)
Most side effects go away within 2 months after radiation therapy is finished. Late side effects may occur 6 months after radiation therapy is over and may depend on the part of the body that is treated. Every person is different so it's advisable to talk to the doctor or nurse for side effects related questions and to manage them.
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