Radiotherapy is one of the methods of treatment and control of various types of cancer such as breast and prostate cancer. During it, energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells. These rays are often X-rays. But besides that, doctors also use other types such as proton rays, gamma rays, energetic electrons or heavy particles. In this technique, cancer cells are specifically targeted, which is why the possibility of damage to texture and healthy organs of the body are much less compared to chemotherapy..

What is radiotherapy for?

Doctors often use radiotherapy in the early stages of the disease, that is, the stage where the cancer cells are confined to the tissue and have not yet metastasized.. Metastasis means the spread of cancer cells to other organs of the body.. Of course, you should know that radiation therapy is a complementary treatment along with other methods such as chemotherapy or performing several surgical sessions. is.. in this situation The doctor tries to destroy the remaining cancer cells to minimize the risk of disease recurrence..

• Complete treatment of cancer in the early stages
• Complementary treatment next to surgery
• Reducing the risk of disease recurrence
• relief of disease symptoms in situations where treatment is not possible.

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How is radiotherapy performed?

In radiation therapy, energy rays go to the DNA of cancer cells.... DNA is a type of genetic material that includes all the genetic and genetic information of living organisms.... This material controls the way cancer cells divide.... With its damage, the cancerous tumor will not be able to grow and spread and will eventually die.... According to the type, location and stage of cancer (cancer grade), the oncologist will choose the best radiation therapy He suggests to the patient.... This method is generally done in the following ways:

What is external radiotherapy (teletherapy)?

Teletherapy or external radiotherapy is the most common type of this technique.... During it, the device is placed outside the patient's body and at a suitable distance from him.... The patient lies motionless on the bed, then the device starts moving around the body and emits doses of radiation from several angles to the tumor... Don't...

According to the patient's conditions, the doctor prescribes this method for a few weeks, and the patient may also need external radiotherapy twice a day.

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How should we prepare for external radiation therapy?

Before radiotherapy, in the first session, the doctor will perform a physical examination and take a detailed history.... After that, he will do a "simulation" session.... In this session, the specialist will ask you to lie completely still on the bed, then the area to receive radiation treatment will be marked with "marking".. In this way, the angle of radiation treatment will be clearly defined, a guide that the doctor will use during the treatment..

On the day of the treatment, you should wear special clothes Put on the name of the gun and also remove all your jewelry before that.... When it is placed under the machine, you will see light spots on your body, you must stay completely still in this position.... After that, the radiation therapy machine will start to rotate, during which you will only hear the sound of the machine rotating.... This technique is painless and it will usually last half an hour to an hour.

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Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)

In brachytherapy or internal radiotherapy, the radioactive source is placed in the form of an implant inside the body and close to the tumor. This implant can be a capsule, needle, wire, or balloon. Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

The length of time the implant remains in the body depends on the type and location of the cancer. This period can be from a few minutes to a few hours or days.. The implant is also removed from the body by the doctor.

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What is radiation therapy with imrt method?

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an advanced technique used to deliver a precise and targeted dose of radiation to cancerous tumors. This technique minimizes damage to healthy tissues.

Oncologists usually use IMRT in the treatment of various cancers, including prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, brain, lung, digestive tract and women's cancers. In these types of cancers, the location and dose of radiation is very important.

What is the difference between radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

In chemotherapy, the oncologist prescribes drugs to the patient by injection... these drugs cannot distinguish healthy cells from cancerous cells and therefore affect all of them.... Meanwhile, some body cells such as hair cells are less resistant.... This causes these patients to experience hair loss... of course, hair grows back after treatment...

In radiation therapy, the goal is to destroy cancer cells and minimize damage to healthy tissues.

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What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Patients do not receive a dose of radiation all at once, so healthy body tissues have time to heal themselves... However, receiving radiation has its own side effects, the most common of which are:

• Skin irritation
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• vomiting
• Urine frequency
• Burning sensation in the throat or chest
• Abdominal bloating or cramps
• Hair loss in the treated area
• sores in the mouth

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What are the useful foods after radiation therapy?

In the days after radiation therapy, you should eat foods that protect your general health. These foods can include:

• Staying hydrated during and after radiation therapy is very important.... Drinking a lot of water and liquids such as herbal tea, light soups... Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary drinks.
• Eat protein-rich foods such as lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish), eggs, dairy products, and legumes.
• Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants... If you have mouth ulcers or difficulty swallowing, it is better to cook or puree them to make them easier to eat.
• Choose whole grains such as bread, rice, pasta and whole grains to supply your body with energy and fiber.... Whole grains are rich in B vitamins and minerals.
• Healthy fats can include nuts, seeds, and olive oil....they provide essential fatty acids and play an important role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
• Radiotherapy can sometimes affect the digestive system. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt can help promote a healthy gut by restoring beneficial gut bacteria.

Radiotherapy in several lines

In radiation therapy, radiation therapy to the tumor is used to treat cancer.. The doctor suggests external or internal radiotherapy according to the patient's conditions.. The use of external radiation therapy is much more common than its internal type..

A few questions about radiation therapy

Source: Iaea.org | mayoclinic.org | mdanderson.org