The most severe side effects from radiation therapy depend on the patient and the area that's being treated. Patients often experience skin irritation or a lack of being able to produce saliva. Nausea and fatigue are quite common side effects and a percentage of patients will also experience hair loss.
radium
Radiation therapy is most successful way of cancer treatment in which cancer cells can be easily killed through high-energy x-rays. In this therapy, the ratio of side-effects is also less than other type of treatments.
Nephrotoxicity
Gamma radiation is considered the most dangerous type of radiation due to its high energy and ability to penetrate deep into tissues, causing damage at the cellular level. Exposure to high levels of gamma radiation can lead to severe health effects, including radiation sickness, DNA damage, and an increased risk of cancer.
Electroconvulsive therapy is a medical treatment for severe mental illness in which a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity is introduced into the brain
newborns
bone and brain metastases
The use of narrower radiation beams would help decrease the side effects of the radiatin treatment.
Recovery time after radiation treatments varies depending on the type and location of the treatment, as well as individual patient factors. Generally, patients may experience fatigue and other side effects for several weeks after completing radiation therapy. Most side effects gradually improve within a few weeks to a few months, but some effects can persist longer. It's essential for patients to follow up with their healthcare team for personalized guidance and support during recovery.
a combination of surgery and chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (in about 55% of cases)
The most commonly used modes of treatment are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
The most common type of radiation therapy is external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). In EBRT, high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation are delivered from outside the body to target cancer cells. This is in contrast to internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), where a radioactive source is placed inside or very close to the tumor. In external beam radiation therapy: Linear Accelerator: The most widely used device for delivering external beam radiation is a linear accelerator. This machine generates high-energy X-rays or electrons that are directed at the tumor from various angles. The goal is to precisely target the cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): IMRT is an advanced form of external beam radiation therapy that allows for more precise targeting of the tumor. It adjusts the intensity of the radiation beams at multiple angles, shaping the dose to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): IGRT involves the use of imaging technology (such as CT scans or X-rays) before and sometimes during the treatment to verify the position of the tumor. This helps ensure accurate targeting, especially if the tumor is subject to movement. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to small tumors in the body over a few treatment sessions. SRS, on the other hand, is a similar technique used for tumors in the brain or central nervous system. Both SBRT and SRS aim to deliver high doses of radiation precisely to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. External beam radiation therapy is employed for various types of cancer and is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, or other modalities. The specific type of radiation therapy recommended depends on factors such as the type and location of the cancer, the size of the tumor, and the overall health of the patient. Treatment plans are developed and customized based on individual cases in collaboration with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.