Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is achieved by damaging or destroying cancer cells through intensive treatment of X-rays. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation may be used at various stages of treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Often, radiation is the main treatment for patients with health problems. Radiation can also be used to eliminate small formations of cancer cells that surgery might overlook. When radiation is used in conjunction with surgery, radiation is known as adjuvant.Radiation therapy uses high energy X rays – a much higher dose than X-rays for diagnosis – in order to damage or kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing or dividing. Radiation therapy is local treatment is often recommended along with a lumpectomy to kill any cancer cells that could be still. Kills the cells at the original site of cancer and typically not useful to get rid of the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation therapy can be administered either internally or externally. External radiation directs high-energy rays directly at the tumor site using a machine that is outside the body and requires no hospitalization. Treatment Intensity Modulated Radiation (acronym in English, IMTR) is radiation therapy that is administered three-dimensional digital equipment.
Internal radiation, or brachytherapy requires the insertion of radioactive pellets around the site using many catheters, or Mamosito (a catheter with a balloon).
* External Beam Radiation
The form of radiation therapy is best known external irradiation. A machine similar to X-ray focusing intense beams of light directly to the tumor, but from outside the body, thus ending the cancer cells under the skin.
* Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
When the radiation source is placed inside the body, radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. In the case of mesothelioma, the active materials are placed directly into the chest or abdomen.
Side Effects
Side effects include fatigue, rash or skin changes, pain and swelling in the sinus due to fluid accumulation.
Tattoos
In order to treat correctly the area every day, radiation technicians use marks on the body surface. Sometimes the marks are made with a pen or highlighter may be erased, forcing the coach or doctor to figure out where were the marks. Marks can be covered to protect them, but it is important to note that some patients can not tolerate adhesives.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high energy X rays – a much higher dose than X-rays for diagnosis – in order to damage or kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing or dividing. Radiation therapy is local treatment is often recommended along with a lumpectomy to kill any cancer cells that could be still. Kills the cells at the original site of cancer and typically not useful to get rid of the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation therapy can be administered either internally or externally. External radiation directs high-energy rays directly at the tumor site using a machine that is outside the body and requires no hospitalization. Treatment Intensity Modulated Radiation (acronym in English, IMTR) is radiation therapy that is administered three-dimensional digital equipment.
Tags: Radiotherapy, side effects, treatment for cancer
