Many people who battle cancer undergo radiation treatment, also called radiotherapy, to kill cancer cells and rid themselves of the disease. Whether radiation treatment is used alone of in conjunction with treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, it's often an integral piece of a treatment plan, according to Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago.
How It Works
Radiation treatment is a type of cancer treatment that kills cancer cells with high doses of radiation. It also aims to stop them from spreading, according to the National Cancer Institute. The procedure can be given internally, on or near cancer cells or by an external beam that points radiation directly at cells. In addition to killing and slowing the growth of cancer cells, radiation also may be able to shrink cancer cells to reduce pressure in cases where a cure is not possible.
Healthy Cells
Radiation therapy is used only when necessary because it can affect healthy cells. In order to protect healthy cells, the National Cancer Institute says doctors take the following precautions: using as low a dose of radiation as possible to limit damage of healthy cells; zeroing in on a particular part of the body with techniques like 3-D conformal radiation and IMRT; spreading out treatments so healthy cells have a chance to recover from treatment; and using medicines that help protect key body parts.
Side Effects
Side effects from radiation therapy---which are the result of injuring rapidly dividing cells---tend to the limited to the area receiving treatment, notes rtanswers.org. For example, someone with breast cancer may experience skin irritation that's similar to sunburn on her chest. Fatigue is another common side effect. Side effects tend to begin around the second or third week of treatment.
Radiation Therapy Team
According to the National Cancer Institute, you'll likely be followed by a therapy "team" when receiving treatment. The team usually consists of a radiation oncologist, a doctor specializing in radiation therapy who is responsible for developing a treatment plan; a radiation nurse, who provides care during radiation treatments; a nurse practitioner, who has advanced training and will see you during follow-ups to check the progress of the therapy and monitor side effects; and a radiation therapist, who positions you for treatments and ensures you're getting the proper dose of radiation. Depending on the situation, a physical therapist, dietitian and social worker also may be part of your team.
Warning
A common concern of patients receiving radiation therapy is whether it will make them radioactive, according to the National Cancer Institute. This depends largely on the type of treatment the patient is receiving. Internal radiation therapy---which includes interstitial, intracavitary and intraluminal and involves sealed implants---requires certain precautions be taken because the area around the implant is radioactive. On the other hand, systemic radiation therapy utilizes unsealed radioactive materials, which travel throughout the body and are excreted through urine, saliva and sweat before the fluids decay. Precautions likely need to be taken when you're in close proximity to a patient receiving this type of radiation treatment.
