Radiation therapy is one of the main methods for the treatment of tumor processes. For the treatment of tumors, special devices are used that allow you to direct the stream of energy to the affected area. Distinguish three ray therapy periods.
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The concept of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy (X-ray therapy, televisionherapy, electronherapy, neutron therapy, etc.) - this is the use of a special type of energy of electromagnetic emissions or beams of elementary nuclear particles capable of killing tumor cells or restrain them growth and division. Some healthy cells falling into the irradiation zone are also damaged, however most of them are able to recover. Tumor cells are divided faster than the surrounding healthy cells, so irradiation acts on them more detail. It is these differences that determine the effectiveness of radiation therapy of cancer.
For radiation therapy use special complex devices that allow you to direct the stream of therapeutic energy on the tumor. These devices differ in principle of action and are applied in different purposes. Some of them are used to treat surface cancer (skin cancer), others are more efficient in the treatment of tumors, localized deep in the body. Which of the devices is better to use the doctor.
Radiation therapy periods
When carrying out radiation therapy, three periods of treatment are distinguished - this is the best, radiation and post-coolant. Each of these periods has its own characteristics that define the rules of the patient's behavior. Their compliance will improve the results of treatment and reduce the frequency of side effects.
In the transmitter period, additional studies are held in order to clarify the localization and assessment of the state of the surrounding pathological sources of healthy tissues. Before starting the course of radiation therapy, the doses of irradiation are carefully calculated and its methods are determined, with which it is possible to achieve maximum destruction of tumor cells and protect healthy tissues in the body areas to be influenced. What dose of irradiation is necessary to this patient, how to carry out and how many sessions it will be necessary to do, only the doctor decides. Conduct these complex calculations helps a whole group of highly qualified specialists - physicists, dosimetrists, mathematicians. To make a decision, sometimes it takes several days. This procedure is called planning.
The patient will be asked to calmly lie on the table while the radiologist using a special X-ray apparatus will define the exposure field. Such sites may be somewhat. Exposure fields are prescribed by dots or lines (marking), using special inks for this. This marking should remain on the skin until the end of the treatment, so during the adoption of the soul the patient should not wash off her.
Already in the transmission period, the iodine tincture should not be used and other irritants in areas of the skin, which will be subjected to radiation exposure. Do not sunbathe. If there are dialoses on the skin, the rashes must be specified on them to the doctor. It will appoint appropriate treatment (powders, ointments, aerosols). If radiation therapy is carried out for the treatment of the tumor of the maxillofacial region, the preliminary sane of the oral cavity (treatment or removal of carious teeth) is necessary. This is an essential event for the prevention of radiation complications in the oral cavity.
Usually the course of treatment lasts 4-7 weeks. In some cases, when radiation therapy is carried out before the operation in order to reduce the size of the tumor or to facilitate the state of the patient, the course duration is 2-3 weeks. Usually radiation therapy sessions spend 5 times a week. Sometimes in order to protect normal tissues in the irradiation zone, the daily dose is divided into 2-3 sessions. A two-day break at the end of the week allows you to recover healthy fabrics. The decision on the total dose of irradiation and the number of sessions takes a radiologist based on the size of the tumor and the localization of the tumor, its type, the general state of the patient and other types of treatment.
During the patient's irradiation, they will be asked to go on a table for treatment or sit in a special chair. According to the previously marked fields, the irradiation zones will be accurately defined. Healthy fabrics in the field of exposure will be protected by special gaskets (blocks). Therefore, during irradiation, the patient should not move. You need to lie calmly, without much voltage, the breath should be natural and uniform. In the office of the patient is approximately 15-30 minutes, but the duration of the treatment itself does not exceed 1-5 minutes. Before turning on the installation, medical personnel goes to another room and watches the irradiation procedure on TV or through the window. Some parts of the devices for radiotherapy during operation can move and create noise. Do not worry, the whole process is controlled by the medical staff.
