Radiation Therapy & Misconceptions

What exactly is radiation therapy? Learn more about it.

Radiation Therapy is an important treatment for cancer and common tumors. Radiation therapy is also an important treatment for other ailments such as trigeminal neuralgia, fits, and Parkinson’s.

Yet radiation therapy has a wide range of misconceptions. There are many doubts in society about that. So in fact we find during our practice that this information is a hindrance when treating radiation therapy. We will try to eliminate these misconceptions. The type of cancer and what stage it is at is very important to start radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is sometimes used before or after surgery. In fact, chemotherapy is used along with it.

How do misconceptions spread?

In common parlance, radiation therapy is called ‘giving light’ or ‘burning’. Of course, these terms also come from ignorance and misunderstanding. It is believed that light from a dangerous radiation beam falls on a patient’s body and causes damage to the cancerous area, causing the area to become extremely hot or burn. Discussions in the community, scams on the internet, and insufficient information spread such misconceptions.

Radiation therapy

These are all misconceptions and they reach this conclusion out of ignorance. So even if you start using the term ‘radiation therapy instead of the word ‘light’ or ‘sekai’, it will help reduce the fear of it. Radiation therapy, which treats cancer or any other tumor, uses a ‘high dose ionizing radiation beam’ i.e. X-ray, gamma-ray, electron, or proton. Advanced technology has made it possible to provide accurate treatment with radiation therapy.

The planning process of therapy

The old technology caused the patient to face far-reaching consequences. However, precision radiation therapy (precision radiation therapy), which is prevalent today, directly targets the area that is needed and does not injure other parts of the body. Therefore, this therapy helps in improving the quality of life of the patient after treatment. The planning process for radiation therapy is very straightforward and patient-friendly. In the first stage, the patient’s cancerous organ is stabilized by a mask. So in the right position, it comes to the cancerous organ.

Beginning of therapy

Of course, CT scans of those organs are done in conjunction with radiation therapy. Once this is done, the process of radiation therapy begins. Radiation therapy begins when the patient settles down during radiation therapy, meets the requirements for accuracy, and achieves proper accuracy. Generally, there are 10 to 15 minutes of radiation therapy sessions per day. The body is not aware of the rays of radiation therapy. At the same time, there is no pain. So radiation therapy is really worry-free.

Special attention to mental health

Radiation therapy is usually done five days a week. This is followed by a rest two days of the week. Thus radiation therapy is given for three to seven weeks. In the meantime, the volume should not fall. The side effects of the treatment occur only in the area where radiation therapy has been given. What is special is that this side effect is reversible after treatment. Patients are advised to take preventive measures in case of side effects. During this time special attention is paid to the patient’s diet, physiotherapy, and mental stability.

It is very important to follow the instructions after treatment and come for a check-up from time to time. Brachytherapy – In this treatment, radiation therapy is given through the internal organs of the body. Radiation therapy can now be completed in a period of one to five days due to the latest ‘radiosurgery’ treatment. Radiation therapy is completed with the help of a full team of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiotherapy technicians, and nurse services.

Functional therapy

Radiation therapy has become easier in modern times and with the help of robotic therapies, radiation therapy is now become more accurate, more effective, and more efficient in treating cancer. So when you want to get radiation therapy, feel free to go to a radiation oncologist!