Radiotherapy or radiation therapy is a medical procedure used to treat cancer. This procedure is carried out with the help of powerful X-ray energy to kill and stop the proliferation and spread of cancer cells that nest in the body. In addition to X-ray exposure, radiotherapy can also be done in the form of implants, injectable drugs or oral.
To increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment, radiotherapy is often used in conjunction with other methods, such as chemotherapy or tumor removal surgery. Radiotherapy is applied with extreme care and calculation to minimize side effects in patients.
Radiotherapy Indications
The doctor will consider radiotherapy with the following objectives:
- Become a single procedure to treat cancer.
- Treating cancer combined with other treatments.
- Reduce or reduce tumor size before surgery.
- Relieves symptoms in advanced cancer.
- Kill and clean cancer cells so they don't return after surgery.
Radiotherapy costs
The total cost for radiotherapy varies from person to person. Some of the factors that cause the difference in cost are the type and stage of cancer experienced, the radiotherapy technique performed, and the number of radiotherapy sessions required. The emergence of side effects and treatment, such as the need for hospitalization, can be unexpected costs that need to be prepared. Make sure you get complete information about the estimated costs, before you undergo radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy Warning
Radiotherapy cannot be done in all conditions, especially in pregnant women. Patients who will undergo radiotherapy should not be pregnant. Because, this treatment can endanger the lives of babies in the womb. To prevent pregnancy, female patients are advised to always use contraceptives.
Just like female patients, male patients undergoing radiotherapy are also encouraged to use contraceptives while treatment is still being performed. In certain cases, male patients are even advised to continue using contraceptives for several months after treatment is complete.
Radiotherapy Preparation
Before radiotherapy is performed, the doctor will conduct a series of examinations to determine whether this procedure is suitable for the patient's condition. After that, the doctor can determine the dose and frequency of radiotherapy. Treatment is determined based on the type and stage of cancer experienced by the patient.
The doctor will also carry out a radiation simulation consisting of several stages, as explained below:
- The patient is asked to lie down and determine a comfortable position so that the radiotherapy procedure can run smoothly.
- The team of doctors will provide pillows and bind the patient so that his position does not change during radiotherapy.
- The team of doctors will do a CT scan to determine which parts of the body will get radiation.
- The team of doctors will determine the type of radiotherapy used and how many times the radiotherapy will be done according to the results of the examination.
- The team of doctors will mark the part of the patient's body that will get exposure to the radiation waves.
- After all the above stages are completed, radiotherapy is ready.
Radiotherapy Procedure
More specifically, there are three types of radiotherapy that are often used to treat cancer. The application also varies, depending on the patient's condition and the size and type of cancer. The following is a brief explanation.
- External radiotherapy, which is radiation therapy that is carried out with the help of medical equipment by directing the emission of energy into parts of the body that are overgrown with cancer cells. Each treatment session generally takes 10-30 minutes and is painless. Patients can also return home immediately after the treatment.
- Implanted radiotherapy, which is radiation therapy carried out by inserting radioactive metals into the body and placed around the growth area of cancer cells. In general, this metal will be removed after successful radiotherapy. However, in certain cases this metal is deliberately left in the patient's body.
- Radioisotope therapy, which is radiation therapy carried out by inserting radioactive fluid into the body, either by swallowing or injecting it into a blood vessel. Radioisotope therapy is often used in patients with thyroid cancer and prostate cancer. This type of treatment requires patients to stay longer in the hospital.
After Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is not only done a day, but can be several days, several weeks, or even up to several months depending on the patient's condition. During the treatment period, patients will receive close supervision from the doctor. Patients also have to undergo a series of tests to determine their health condition and side effects that may result from radiotherapy.
Additional treatment may be given by a doctor to relieve symptoms and overcome side effects. That way, the patient's days will feel more comfortable.
Side Effects of Radiotherapy
Like other types of treatment, radiotherapy also has the potential to cause side effects. Generally these side effects will recover after the radiation therapy ends. Some side effects that might be caused include:
- Diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear a few days after radiotherapy is done.
- Lymphedema. This condition causes swelling in the feet and hands.
- Easily tired, especially after doing daily activities.
- Red, itchy, and skin
- Hair loss. Generally this happens in the part affected by radiotherapy.
- Wounds appear in the mouth that cause decreased appetite.
- Psychological disorders, such as depression, frustration, stress, or
- Sexual disorders, especially if the cancer occurs in the abdomen and in the pelvic area.
- Loss of appetite which also causes weight loss come along.
- Joint and muscle disorders in the form of the appearance of pain and swelling.
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