Radiation treatments are used to treat cancer patients. Radiation treatments are used either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy to destroy cancel cells. They are also used to treat such conditions as severe thyroid eye disease, pterygium, trigeminal neuralgia, and pigmented villonodular synovitis.
History
Radiation treatments have been used to treat cancer since 1895, when the first x-rays were discovered and put to use. The use of radiation as a treatment for cancer grew largely during the early 1900s after Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium radioactive elements. Technological advancements over the years have made radiation treatments more effective for reducing the spread of cancer and destroying cancer cells.
Types
There are two main types of radiation treatments identifiable by the means in which they are given to the cancer patient. The first type is external radiation, which is directed at a large portion of the outer part of the body. The second type of radiation treatment is internal radiation, which is still done non-invasively but is directed inside the body and into the cancerous tumors, rather than at the surface above them. Both types of radiation treatments can be used together.
Dosage
Radiation used for treatment of cancer is measured in a unit called a Gray. The amount of Grays used for the radiation treatment depends on the types of cancer, stage of the cancer, and amount of cancerous tumors and cells. An oncologist will make the decision of the correct dosage of radiation to be used for an individual patient. Dosage is dependent upon whether or not a surgery is needed to remove the tumors, success of the surgery, if chemotherapy is being used in conjunction, and if the radiation treatments will be done prior to or following the cancer removal surgery.
Treatments
Administrations of radiation treatments take only a few minutes, approximately ten minutes, and are relatively painless. Before a radiation treatment can begin a technician must first give the patient non-permanent tattoos guiding where each treatment should be directed. A large machine is used to direct the rays of radiation into the body. Radiation treatments are typically only administered on weekdays for several weeks; weekend breaks are provided to allow for recovery and growth of healthy replacement cells.
Effects
While the radiation treatments are not painful to receive, they may cause uncomfortable side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, swelling, rashes, and even hair loss. Side effects usually only effect the area of the body receiving the radiation treatment and usually only last for a few days after treatments. Pain or rashes that persist or do not fade away after a few hours should be reported to the oncologist and the radiation technician who can view the area to check for problems. Infertility may come as a result of radiation treatment if the ovaries or testicles are exposed to radiation waves.
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