There are two main radiation therapy types: internal and external radiation therapy. Internal radiation therapy allows exposing only those cells, which are affected with the cancer by inserting into the human body a small amount of radioactive substance.
External radiation therapy is the most widespread method among radiation therapy kinds. Special mechanism exposes tumor and surrounding tissues with radiation. The patient must know and understand the following next points about the external radiation therapy:
- Radiation therapy is a painless procedure, but at the time of the procedure the patient must stay without any movement.
- Radiation cannot be spread on surrounding people
- During the treatment, the patient can keep usual life tempo
- If the radiation does not affect head and shoulders area, the hair fall may not appear
External radiation therapy must be organized only in ambulant conditions. It provides an ability to exclude day-and-night residency in the hospital. There may be an interruption for the weekend.
Internal radiation therapy types are conducted in define cancer types, cervix uteri cancer, uterus cancer or mammary gland cancer for example. In the case of mammary gland cancer, plastic tubes, penetrated with radioactive wires are inserted into the gland. At cervix uteri cancer and uterus cancer, radiation source is inserted into cervix uteri.
Radiation sources are left in the organism for several days, but the patient must stay at hospital, often in a special room. With the purpose of protection from cumulative effect time and again radiation affections, medical personnel must visit the patient for very short period.
After radiation sources removal all signs of radiation disappear. A more difficult method of internal radiation therapy in the case of cervix uteri cancer covers the usage of device for consecutive insertion of radiation substance.
Radiation therapy side effects depend on that part of organism that was exposed with radiation. Nowadays, when complexity and sensibility of radiation therapy types increased, radiation therapy side effects became characterless, improved methods of side effects relief appeared.
Weakness and languor are the most extended radiation therapy side effects, independent from radiation therapy types. Radiation therapy depresses the body and weakness is still present after a few weeks after the treatment.
Exposing any part of the body to radiation can be harmful. But if the treatment is directed on skin or subcutaneous tissues, skin reddening and inflammation will appear.
If radiation therapy covers large area with medulla, the level of erythrocyte, leukocyte and thrombocyte decreases. Some patients may need blood transfusion or antibiotic inflation. Hair fall accrue only on expose area. Such baldness has temporary character and after 2-3 months from the end of treatment, growth of the hair will begin anew.
The radiation therapy of the chest almost does not cause radiation therapy side effects, but there may be problems with swallowing. After lungs radiation heavy breathing may emerge.
Radiation treatment is the question of constant development and improving. Day by day radiation therapy types are becoming more exact and harmless.
Radiation therapy; your best friend or worst enemy? Better to treat this technology as an allied partner.