![]() (See Brachytherapy for breast cancer by clicking on the PDF icon above.) Radiation from the implant doesn’t travel much further than the localized treatment area and has little effect on normal surrounding tissues. Brachytherapy commonly is used to treat prostate and cervical cancer. Internal radiation (also called brachytherapy) involves an implant-a small wire or pellet that’s placed in an applicator and inserted into the body within or near the tumor. For external-beam radiation, the machine delivers high-energy radiation beams from outside the body to the cancer site. Some patients, such as those with cervical or endometrial cancer, may receive both external and internal radiation. Radiation therapy may be delivered externally or internally. Rarely, patients report an ozone-like odor, a feeling of warmth, or a buzzing sensation. However, if an area near the optic nerve is radiated, patients may see flashes of light and vivid colors from stimulation of the visual cortex. The patient doesn’t feel or taste anything and hears nothing except the treatment machine. Generally, radiation doesn’t hurt when administered. Once therapy begins, daily treatment lasts about 15 to 30 minutes on average. other treatments the patient is receiving.The total number of fractions administered depends on: Weekend breaks in treatment allow normal tissue to repair itself. Radiation usually is given daily for 5 days per week for 5 to 8 weeks. For example, in patients with brain tumors, palliative radiation typically eases headache, nausea, double ![]() When a cure isn’t possible, palliative radiation may be given to shrink the tumor, which reduces tumor pressure on surrounding tissues and relieves pain. For others, it’s one treatment in a complex multimodality approach, which might also include adjuvant treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or bone marrow transplant. For some, radiation is the only treatment needed. Patients usually receive daily treatments over several weeks. In this case, the radiation oncology staff coordinates the patient’s care and treatment delivery with the inpatient staff. Typically, radiation therapy is done on an outpatient basis, but occasionally hospital inpatients may receive it. This approach takes maximum advantage of the difference in radiation tolerance between normal tissues and the patient’s specific cancer type. The radiation oncologist and staff involved in planning treatment develop an individualized plan for each patient, including the number of fractions and the amount of radiation administered in each fraction. (See Basic radiation terms defined by clicking on the PDF icon above.) Each dose that’s delivered is termed a fraction. The total radiation dose is fractionated (given in fractions) rather than all at once, giving normal cells a chance to recover. A radiation oncologist orders radiation therapy. Professionals involved in the care of patients receiving radiation therapy include radiation oncologists, cancer nurses specializing in radiation, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, clinical trial specialists, social workers, dietitians, care coordinators, and spiritual advisors. Usually, healthy cells in the radiation treatment field are able to recover. Cell damage occurs immediately cancer cells die over a period of days, weeks, and months and are eliminated by the body. Unlike the low-dose radiation emitted by standard X-rays, radiation therapy delivers high doses capable of destroying cancer cells, rendering them unable to reproduce and spread. The goal of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells using the least amount of radiation possible, with treatments spread over an appropriate period. This article provides a basic overview of radiation therapy, including the various radiation types, side effects, nursing interventions, and patient and family teaching. Today, nearly 60% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy (also called radio-therapy) aimed at the specific area where the tumor is located. During the 20th century, radiation oncology burgeoned from the experimental application of basic X-rays to a specialized high-tech discipline delivering sophisticated cancer treatments.
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