Radiation Therapy

These terms can be confusing: radiation therapy, radiotherapy and radiology.  Radiation and radiotherapy can be used interchangeably.  Radiology is different; it is the use of radiation to create imaging for the purpose of diagnosis.  Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to treat cancer. This is done in a number of ways depending on the type of cancer and the location.  There are a few other uses for radiation that are used in non-cancerous treatments, for example:  trigeminal neuralgia, thyroid eye disease and pterygium.  The use of radiation for non-cancerous conditions is infrequent because of the possibility of creating a radiation-induced cancer.

Radiation therapy may be used as a primary treatment for cancer or may be part of a different regimen that includes chemotherapy and/or surgery.  The type, location, stage and general health of the patient are all considered when making the decision to use radiotherapy.

Total body treatment may be used to prepare the body for bone marrow transplant.  Usually, radiation is applied to the malignant tumor and to a margin of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.  The purpose for this is because of movements inside the body that cause tumors to move such as respiration and the digestive system.  

Side effects are common with radiation therapy.  The type and severity are different with each patient.  Some people have very few side effects while others have more severe symptoms.  Treatment with radiation is a drastic form of therapy.  High doses of radiation are applied which kill the cancerous cells, but the radiation is also applied to healthy cells in the vicinity.  Be sure to mention to your doctor or treatment team any side effects.  They may be able to reduce or eliminate these.  Some of the more common side effects are skin changes, fatigue, diarrhea, hair loss in the treatment area, swelling, nausea and vomiting, sexual changes, swallowing difficulty and urinary system changes.  Side effects may continue for 6 or more months after the radiation treatments are finished, but most will subside by two months.

The side effects will vary depending on the site of the treatments.  If you are diagnosed with cancer, be an informed patient.  Ask questions and read information that is available.  The more involved you are in your treatment the better patient you will be