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Radiation therapy still plays an important role in cancer therapy by using radio active substances to diagnose and kill cancer cells known as carcinomas.
To enable cancer patients to fully recover from cancer, radiation therapy is always incorporated as a part of a complete treatment regimen to combat recurrence of the disease.
With this in mind, It is, therefore, important to know and consider how radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and what are the risks involved during treatment.
Radiation therapy can be utilized as a form of adjuvant therapy to complete the eradication of tumor cells or it can be used as a palliative form of treatment where cure is no longer possible and the aim is to relieve the manifestations of cancer.
It is more effective on cells which are actively dividing compared to those which are dormant and slow.
Radioactive energy travels from the point source to the patient through electric waves.
This then induces a change in the cellular structure of a tumor which alters abnormal cell growth and the spread of cancer.
Internal Radiation Therapy is administered by placing implants close to or within a malignant tumor.
The most common ones are in the form of radioactive implants such as wires,catheters, ribbons and seeds.
Sometimes, to achieve systemic effects, radioactive substances such as Strontium and Iodine 131 are taken orally or intravenously.
Because of the hazards involved during internal radiation therapy, confinement within the hospital is a must.
One of the most common hazards people in the hospital may face during treatment is radiation exposure by means of implant dislodgement or exposure to body fluids a radioactive patient is secreting.
External Radiation Therapy is induced by means of exposing the patient in a radioactive environment such as X-rays, Gamma rays and Proton beams.
The patient is not radioactive however, being in close range to the patient during the session is hazardous without the proper gears needed to block radiation.
Common side effects of radiation therapy includes extreme fatigue and the presence of rashes on the skin where radiation is induced.
And like chemotherapy, it can also cause nausea and vomiting.
One of the most dangerous side effects of radiation therapy is immuno -depression.
Radiation not only affects the defective cells within the body but it also affects healthy cells as well.
And because the white blood cells which is known to defend the body from infections, are affected, the body's defenses are very weak and thus patients are more likely to suffer from severe infections.
Bleeding tendencies are also likely to happen because platelets in the blood drop in significant numbers.
To lessen the risks of side effects, it is then important to remember these guidelines: 1.
Stay away from skin care products that contain drying chemicals that will lead to further skin irritation.
2.
Stop smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent gastric irritations that may agitate vomiting 3.
Avoid fresh flowers, fruits and undercooked foods that are rich in bacteria to avoid infections 4.
Limit visitors.
This prevents radiation exposure and opportunistic infections 5.
Ensure safety.
A patient experiencing severe fatigue brought about by radiation therapy is prone to falls and other types of injuries.
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