1. Radiation Therapy Kills Cancer Cells
Radiation therapy is one of many ways to treat various forms of cancer. It uses very high amounts of radiation to prevent cancer cells from spreading by killing them. Radiation therapy attacks cells that reproduce rapidly and since tumors contain cells that reproduce at fast rates; this treatment can work very well. Keep in mind, damage due to radiation can also affect normal cells, but since they reproduce at slower rates, they can repair themselves better than the rapidly reproducing cancer cells.
2. External Beams Use Linear Accelerators
External beam radiation therapy, also known as X-ray therapy, uses a linear beam accelerator to administer therapy one or two times per day. Typically, the therapy goes on for five days a week for as many weeks as prescribed by the oncologist. The normal, non-cancerous cells are able to repair and recover on the weekends when the patient gets a break from therapy. The nice thing about external therapy is that the patient does not become radioactive and need to be isolated from visitors.
3. Internal Beams Occur Inside the Body
Internal beam therapy requires a radioactive substance to be put inside of the body either as a solid substance or using a reservoir and injections. This type of radiation therapy is more direct and limits the area of exposure. Fewer normal cells are damaged in this type of therapy, but the dosage of radiation is much higher since it is more exact. Depending on the type of internal radiation therapy the patient is under, it is possible that he may need to be isolated from others in order to minimize their exposure to radiation.
4. Reactions to Radiation Vary
Each person undergoing radiation therapy can have varying types of side effects. The most common are dry, irritated, sensitive skin, hair loss, fatigue, decreased white blood cells and altered taste to foods. The most important side effect to understand is neutropenia, or decreased white blood cells. This causes the body to be more susceptible to infection. Because of this, patients undergoing therapy should not be around anyone who's sick, even if it's just the common cold. And, it is absolutely imperative that the patient contact their oncologist if they have a fever.
5. Is It Working?
Knowing if a cancer radiation therapy is working depends greatly on what type of cancer the patient is battling. Typically, patients will undergo various types of scans, such as CT, PET or MRI, to see if the tumor has shrunk or grown, or even just stayed the same. Depending on the results found, the oncologist will decide what type of future therapy the patient should undergo.
