Living With Radiation Therapy: What to Expect
While there are a number of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery, radiation therapy is one of the most utilized treatment options available. In some cases, radiation therapy is the only cancer treatment needed, while at other times, it is only a single part of the entire treatment process. Keep reading to learn what to expect while undergoing radiation therapy:
How Radiation Works
Radiation therapy is used to destroy cancer cells and keep additional cancer cells from growing. Unlike chemotherapy that is used to treat the whole body, radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill localized cancer cells or tumors. The two main types of radiation therapy include external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. During external beam radiation therapy, patients lie flat on a treatment table under a radiation machine which aims the radiation beam at different angles to access the tumor. These treatment sessions typically last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and are often completed at an outpatient cancer center. Internal radiation therapy, on the other hand, is completed using a temporary implant that provides doses of radiation directly to the site of the tumor.
Possible Side Effects
As with any type of cancer treatment, radiation therapy may lead to a number of side effects. Some of the most common side effects include fatigue, loss of appetite, skin changes, digestive problems, and hair loss. While radiation therapy does not cause pain, the side effects may lead to uncomfortable symptoms, such as trouble swallowing, sore throat, or sores in the mouth.
When to Contact Your Oncologist
It is important to contact your oncologist if you begin to experience severe or distressing side effects during your radiation therapy. This includes side effects that are unresponsive to the medication provided to you, such as severe vomiting, chronic diarrhea, and bleeding.
Here at the South Florida Radiation Oncology and the CyberKnife Center of Florida, we believe that you should never have to go through the cancer treatment process alone. Get the compassionate, personalized cancer care you need by contacting South Florida Radiation Oncology at (888) 823-9162.
For the most comprehensive cancer treatment options available, give our oncologists with South Florida Radiation Oncology a call at (888) 823-9162. You can also visit our Facebook age for interactive blog posts by our patient support coordinator, Cindy Collins. Our website also contains helpful links to all these topics on our Recources page at www.sfrollc.com.
- Loading comments...
