Radiation therapy: side effects. A course of radiation therapy: consequences

Radiation therapy involves exposure to ionized radiation. His goals:

• damage to malignant cells,
• limiting cancer growth,
• prevention of metastasis.

Used in combination with surgical treatment and chemotherapy.

The effect is enhanced due to the fact that the doctor can adjust the direction of the rays. This makes it possible to use maximum doses at the lesion site.

Sometimes this method is also used to treat non-oncological pathologies. For example, to combat bone growths.

Video about pre-radiation preparation:

Indications

The method is used in 60-70% of patients with cancer. It is considered fundamental for the treatment of tumors that differ high degree radiosensitivity, rapid progression, as well as with some features of the localization of the formation.

Radiation therapy is indicated for cancer:

• nasopharynx and rings of pharyngeal tonsils,
• cervix,
• larynx,
• skin, breast,
• lung,
• language,
• body of the uterus,
• some other organs.

Types of radiation therapy

There are several treatment methods. Alpha radiation involves the use of isotopes, such as radon, thoron products. This type has a wide range of applications; it has a positive effect on the central nervous system, endocrine system, and heart.

Beta therapy is based on the healing effect based on the action of beta particles. Various radioactive isotopes are used. The decay of the latter is accompanied by the emission of particles. There is such therapy as interstitial, intracavitary, or application.

X-ray therapy is effective for the treatment of superficial lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. The X-ray energy is selected depending on the location of the pathological focus.

Radiation therapy is also divided for other reasons.

Contact

This type differs from the others in that the ray sources are located directly on the tumor. It is characterized by a dose distribution so that the main part remains in the tumor.

The method is good if the size of the formation is no more than 2 cm. This type is divided into several types.

Remote

It implies that the source of radiation is located at some distance from the human body. the beam enters the body through a certain area.

Gamma therapy is most often used. This method is good because it allows a high dose of radiation to be applied to the formation, while keeping healthy cells intact.

For small cancers, protons and neurons are used. Remote therapy can be static or mobile. In the first case, the radiation source is stationary.

In modern oncology clinics the method is rarely used. The moving technique allows you to direct the source along different trajectories. This ensures the greatest efficiency.

Radionuclide

The specificity lies in the introduction of radiopharmaceuticals into the patient’s body. They affect the lesions. Targeted delivery of substances forms very high doses in the lesions with few side effects and minimal impact on healthy tissue.

Radioiodine therapy is popular. The method is used not only for cancer patients, but also for the treatment of people with thyrotoxicosis. If there are bone metastases, then several compounds are used at once.

Conformal

Radiation exposure where three-dimensional exposure planning is used to obtain the field shape. The method allows adequate doses of radiation to be delivered to tumors. This significantly increases the chance of cure.

To prevent the tumor from leaving the irradiated area, special devices are used, for example, equipment for active breathing control.

Proton

Radiation therapy based on the use of protons, which are accelerated to high values. This allows for a unique dose distribution over depth, with the maximum dose concentrated at the end of the run.

At the same time, the load on other superficial cells is minimal. The radiation is not scattered throughout the patient's body.

Typically, the method is used for small formations, tumors located close to critically radiosensitive structures.

Intracavity

This species has several types. Allows for the prevention of relapses and metastasis. The source is inserted into the body cavity and remains present throughout the entire irradiation session.

Used to create the maximum dose in tumor tissues.

Usually this method is combined with remote. This type of radiation therapy is used to treat cancers of the female genital area, rectum, and esophagus.

Stereotactic

This method can reduce cancer treatment time.

Used to treat brain tumors, internal organs, circulatory system. The rays act very precisely on the tumor.

Photo of stereotactic radiation therapy

It is carried out with full control over the location of the tumor, allowing you to adapt to the patient’s breathing and any other movement.

The result of this effect is not visible immediately, but after several weeks, since the tumor cells die gradually.

Contraindications

There are several situations when radiation therapy is contraindicated:

• general serious condition with signs of intoxication of the body,
• fever,
• cachexia,
• extensive damage by cancer cells, accompanied by bleeding,
• radiation sickness,
• severe forms of concomitant diseases,
• severe anemia.

A sharp decrease in leukocytes or platelets in the blood is also a limitation.

How is radiation therapy performed?

First, additional procedures are carried out to accurately determine the location of the tumor and its size. From this the dose is selected. Using a special apparatus, the irradiation field is determined. There may be several such areas.

During radiation treatment, the patient is in a lying position. It is important not to move during radiation, as this may cause the rays to damage healthy tissue. If a person cannot remain still for a long time, the doctor immobilizes the patient or area of ​​the body.

Some machine parts may move and make noise; do not be alarmed. Already at the beginning of treatment, a decrease in pain, but the greatest effect is achieved after completing the course.

Course duration

Treatment is often carried out on an outpatient basis. The session, depending on the method used, lasts minutes.

Most of the time is spent positioning the patient correctly and guiding the radiation device. The process itself lasts several minutes. Staff will leave the premises during this time.

How is the procedure tolerated?

Radiation therapy itself does not cause painful sensations. After the procedure, it is recommended to rest for several hours. This will help restore strength and also reduce the risk of side effects.

If your throat or mouth has been exposed to irradiation, then it is recommended to rinse your mouth with herbal decoctions or sea ​​buckthorn oil to relieve discomfort.

Symptoms after irradiation

After a course of radiation therapy, you may experience:

• fatigue,
• mood and sleep disturbances,
• reactions from the skin and mucous membranes.

If the impact was carried out on the chest area, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and cough appear.

Consequences

The skin is most often affected. She becomes tender and sensitive. May change color.

The skin reaction to irradiation is approximately the same as with sunburn, but it develops gradually.

Blistering may occur. If not properly cared for, such areas can become infected.

If the respiratory system organs were exposed, then radiation injuries develop over the next three months. An unproductive cough appears, body temperature rises, and general health deteriorates.

Experts note that often side effects include:

• hair loss,
• decreased hearing and vision,
• increase in the number of heartbeats,
• change in blood composition.

Recovery after radiation

The recovery process can take different times, doctors recommend setting yourself up for a long journey.

Treatment of burns

Redness usually appears immediately, but for some people, burns do not begin to be detected immediately. After each session, it should be lubricated with a protective cream.

However, this should not be done before the procedure, as this may reduce the effectiveness of the manipulation. For treatment, D-Panthenol and other drugs are used to relieve inflammation and restore the dermis.

How to raise leukocytes after radiotherapy?

You can increase the number of leukocytes only after permission from your doctor. Be sure to diversify your menu with raw vegetables, buckwheat, fresh fruits, and rolled oats.

Pomegranate and beet juice have a positive effect on blood composition. If these methods do not help, the doctor will prescribe special medications.

What to do if you have a fever?

Fever is a sign of infection in most cases. After radiation therapy, it takes a long time for the immune system to recover.

It is better to immediately consult a doctor who will help identify the cause and prescribe treatment. If this is not possible, stay in bed and use antipyretics that are not contraindicated for your illness.

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Pneumonitis

They are treated using high doses of steroids. Then the symptoms disappear within hours. The dose is reduced gradually.

Additionally used breathing exercises, massage, inhalation and electrophoresis.

The treatment program is drawn up individually, taking into account the type of tumor, its prevalence, and the presence of other complications.

Haemorrhoids

For treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow a diet and bed rest, use medications and drugs traditional medicine. Radiation radiation leads to impaired maturation of the epithelium and inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes.

Used for treatment local therapy, which allows you to cleanse the intestines and eliminate inflammatory processes.

Proctitis

To eliminate the problem, laxatives and cleansing enemas are used. High efficiency showed a warm shower aimed at the rectal area, baths with potassium permanganate.

The doctor may prescribe hormones, rectal suppositories and anesthetics.

Diet food

Adequate nutrition is one of the main methods of treating radiation damage. soft foods must be taken. If the oral cavity has been damaged by irradiation, then it is effective to use oil or novocaine solution.

During radiation therapy itself, patients usually complain of a lack of appetite. At this time, add nuts, honey, eggs, and whipped cream to the menu. They contain a lot nutrients. To obtain protein, puree soups, low-fat fish and meat broths are added to the diet.

The consumption of foods containing large amounts of cholesterol, fatty meat, mushrooms, tangerines, and sausage is contraindicated.

Answers on questions

• How is chemotherapy different from radiation therapy?

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer using drugs. Radiation therapy is based on the principle of destruction of cells under the influence of rays.

World standards provide for a combination of these two methods, since the chance of cure in this case increases.

After radiation exposure, hair falls out only in the area where the rays pass. Doctors usually warn about the possibility of baldness. In this case, it is best to have a short haircut.

When caring for your hair from the moment you start treatment, use a wide-tooth comb or buy a baby comb. Before going to bed, use a special sleep net to prevent your hair from being pressed or pulled.

Many treatment methods leave a negative mark and affect reproductive functions. After radiation therapy, it is recommended to use contraception for several years.

This will allow the body to recover, give birth healthy child. The period is usually told by the oncologist depending on the stage of the cancer and the results of treatment.

Reviews

Most women undergoing treatment in domestic dispensaries are prescribed radiation therapy after chemotherapy.

The procedure is painless, but leads to unwanted reactions. For example, when irradiated in the intestinal area, vomiting often begins, and it is not possible to get rid of constant nausea for a long time.

To determine the location during the procedure, markers mark exact areas on the body. In this case, you can only wash in the shower in the future. This must be done carefully so that water does not get on the target. Allergies often occur.

How much does treatment cost in Moscow and St. Petersburg?

Patients undergoing treatment in regional and city oncology clinics receive radiation therapy free of charge in accordance with schedules and standards.

If you want to undergo treatment for the latest equipment, you will have to go to private clinics. They will also provide emergency radiation therapy to relieve pain in inoperable patients, as well as in emergency conditions.

Radiation and chemotherapy

For cancerous tumors in the human body, a drug treatment approach is used. This approach is called chemotherapy because chemicals are used to treat the tumor.

Oncologists use a large number of drugs to treat cancer, all of which are called chemotherapy.

A striking example of this is the implementation of immune or hormonal therapy. The thing is that when using these methods in the treatment, special cytotoxic drugs are used.

The peculiarity of chemotherapy is that these drugs selectively act on the human body, and their properties are aimed at suppressing the primary and secondary foci of the spread of the disease.

Things you need to know about chemotherapy:

• The peculiarity of chemotherapy is that it helps to suppress the development of mutated cells and the tumor as a whole. Chemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of cancerous tumors modern medicine, these procedures quantitatively reduce cancer cells and prevent tumor growth.
• In addition to the therapeutic effect, the impact of chemotherapy is aimed at obtaining information to create new drugs in the fight against cancer. Conducted research helps doctors discover mechanisms that effectively reduce tumor size and reduce the number of cancer cells.

Types of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy that affects cancer tumors and cells;

Chemotherapy to help cure infectious diseases.

The question: “Which method of therapy is more effective?” will be very difficult to answer, since their characteristics are radically different in the process of influencing the patient’s body.

In the field of oncology, doctors classify chemotherapy as a separate method of treating cancer tumors. Because of this, experts believe that such drugs should be classified as a separate group of drugs that fight tumors.

How is chemotherapy different from radiation therapy?

Doctors use several treatment methods to fight cancerous tumors.

These include:

• surgical intervention;
• chemotherapy;
• radiation therapy;

On different stages the doctor can prescribe any of the treatment methods or a combination of them.

When using the chemotherapy treatment method, the patient is prescribed the use of special chemotherapy drugs.

It is prescribed to reduce the number of cancer cells after surgical removal of a tumor or radiation therapy. This treatment method does not exclude harmful effects on healthy human tissues and cells.

The essence of radiation therapy is that a malignant tumor is treated with ionizing radiation. For this purpose, special fluxes of protons, electrons and neutrons are used.

When treated with chemotherapy, a distinction is made between hormonal drugs and antitumor drugs. Their difference is quite obvious. Hormonal drugs have a less weak effect on the tumor itself.

Hormonal chemotherapy drugs are used for malignant breast formation, and in other cases it is customary to use antitumor drugs chemicals. Chemotherapy has a strong effect when used in the early stages of tumor development.

This does not mean that there is no point in using this treatment method at stages 3 or 4 of cancer, just that chemotherapy drugs will not have such a strong effect. For some types of cancer in the later stages of tumor development, chemotherapy is used as a way to alleviate the patient's condition or reduce his pain symptoms.

Radiation therapy treatment

During treatment cancerous tumor Using radiation therapy, the patient’s body undergoes a process of destruction and complete death of the affected cancer cells. This process accompanies the proliferation of connective tissue. Therefore, a noticeable scar appears in the place where the tumor was.

Depending on the individual characteristics, as well as the stage of the tumor, doctors may prescribe radiation therapy as the only treatment method or combine it with chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy is often given before surgery to remove malignant formation. When the process of active metastasis has begun in the human body, radiation therapy is a mandatory procedure.

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and prevents them from appearing again.

The purpose of this procedure in the postoperative period is preventive, because After removal of the tumor, small foci of cancer remain, which can contribute to the development of the disease, and radiation will get rid of this.

Efficacy of chemotherapy

Cancer diseases are common throughout the world. There are as many types of cancer as there are organs in the human body.

Therefore it is not always possible to use surgery and the only way to treat the tumor is chemotherapy.

The problem is that chemotherapy alone is not always enough to completely cure cancer.

Effectively fighting cancer involves combining treatments. Various procedures are suitable for this, ranging from chemotherapy to the use of traditional methods treatment.

To get rid of hard-to-reach tumors they use different types chemotherapy: red chemotherapy (is the most toxic); yellow chemotherapy (less toxic compared to the previous one); blue and white chemotherapy.

By increasing the dose of chemotherapy, significant progress in treatment is possible malignant tumor and destruction of cancer cells.

Exists high risk harmful effects on healthy cells and the human body, respectively.

It is important to understand that the doctor can prescribe an increase in the dose of chemotherapy only if the tumor is large and surgery is impossible.

The doctor takes a big risk by prescribing an increase in dose. However, in difficult cases this cannot be avoided. The tumor will grow, and cancer cells will multiply and spread throughout the body, affecting other organs of the human body and creating new foci of the disease.

It is now impossible to say which method is effective in treating cancer. Oncologists prescribe procedures based on the individual characteristics of the person and the course of the disease as a whole.

In some cases, using the surgical method is simply impossible, and in this situation you have to do everything possible to preserve human life. Combining treatments is the right way to cure cancer.

Radiation therapy in oncology: consequences and indications

Cancer is the most unpleasant prognosis that a doctor can offer. There is still no medicine that guarantees a cure for this disease. The insidiousness of cancer is that it affects almost all known organs. In addition, cancer can spread its “tentacles” even into the body of domestic animals. Is there a way to fight this enemy? Radiation therapy in oncology is considered one of the most effective methods. But the point is that many refuse this prospect.

Let's go through the basics

What do we know about cancer? This disease is almost incurable. Moreover, the incidence is growing every year. The French are most often affected by the disease, which is explained by the aging population, since the disease often affects older people.

In essence, cancer is a disease of cells, during which they begin to continuously divide, forming new pathologies. By the way, cancer cells do not die, but simply transform into a new stage. This is the most dangerous moment. Our body a priori has a certain supply of cancer cells, but they can grow quantitatively due to external factors, which are bad habits, abuse fatty foods, stress or even heredity.

However, the tumor that is formed by these cells can be benign if it grows outside the organ. In such a situation, it can be cut out and thereby eliminate the problem. But if the tumor grows on the bone or it has grown through healthy tissue, then cutting it out is almost impossible. In any case, if the tumor is removed surgically, then radiation therapy is inevitable. This method is quite common in oncology. But more and more sick people are abandoning this practice due to fear of radiation exposure.

Types of treatment

If there is a disease, then it is worth considering the main methods of treatment. These include surgical removal of the tumor. By the way, it is always removed with a reserve to eliminate the risk of possible tumor growth into healthy tissue. In particular, for breast cancer, the entire gland is removed along with the axillary and subclavian lymph nodes. If a certain part of the cancer cells is missed, the growth of metastases accelerates and chemotherapy is required, which is an effective method against rapidly dividing cells. Radiotherapy, which kills malignant cells, is also in use. In addition, cryo- and photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy are used to help the immune system fight the tumor. If the tumor is detected at an advanced stage, then a combination treatment or the use of narcotic drugs that relieve pain and depression may be prescribed.

Indications

So, when is radiation therapy needed in oncology? When talking with a sick person, the most important thing is to rationally explain the need for this method of treatment and clearly formulate the goal that you want to achieve in this way. If the tumor is malignant, then radiation therapy in oncology is used as the main method of treatment or in combination with surgery. The doctor expects the treatment to reduce the size of the tumor, temporarily stop growth, relieve pain syndrome. For two thirds of cancer cases, radiation therapy is used in oncology. The consequences of this method are expressed in increased sensitivity of the diseased area. For some types of tumors, radiation therapy is more preferable than surgery, as it is less traumatic and has the best cosmetic result in open areas.

At epithelial tumors combined radiation and surgery, and the primary one is radiation, as it helps to reduce the tumor and suppress its growth. If the operation was not effective enough, then postoperative radiation is indicated.

For forms with distant metastases a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is indicated.

Contraindications

When is radiation therapy clearly inappropriate in oncology? The consequences are not the most pleasant if there is lymphopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, as well as any diseases accompanied by high temperature and febrile state. If the chest is to be irradiated, the risk factor will be cardiovascular or respiratory failure, as well as pneumonia.

Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery is indicated for those people who have excellent central nervous system health and genitourinary system. They shouldn't endure acute diseases, have pustules, allergic rashes or inflammation of the skin. There are also conditions, for example, anemia cannot be considered a contraindication if the bleeding is coming from a tumor. After all, after the first sessions of therapy, bleeding may stop.

Unexpected risk

Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery may be an unjustified risk if the patient's medical history contains a record of a tuberculosis process. The fact is that irradiation makes it likely that a dormant infection will worsen from latent foci. But at the same time closed forms tuberculosis will not be considered a contraindication, although they will require drug treatment during radiation therapy.

Accordingly, exacerbation will be possible subject to the existing inflammatory process, purulent foci, bacterial or viral infections.

Based on all of the above, it can be revealed that the use of radiation therapy is determined by specific circumstances based on a set of arguments. In particular, the criteria will be the expected time frame for the manifestation of results and the likely life expectancy of the patient.

Specific Goals

Tumor tissue is very sensitive to radioactive radiation. That is why radiation therapy has become widespread. Oncology treatment with radiation therapy is carried out with the aim of damaging cancer cells and their subsequent death. The impact is carried out on both the primary tumor and the isolated metastases. The goal may also be to limit aggressive cell growth with the possible transfer of the tumor to an operable state. Also, to prevent the occurrence of metastases in cells, radiation therapy in oncology may be recommended. The consequences, reviews and mood of sick people differ polarly, since, in essence, it involves irradiating the body in order to destroy damaged cells. How will this affect your health? Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict with accuracy, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Types of therapy

With an eye to the properties and sources of the radiation beam, various types of radiation therapy in oncology are distinguished. These are alpha, beta, gamma therapies, as well as neutron, pi-meson and proton. There is also X-ray and electron therapy. For every type of cancer radiation exposure gives a unique effect, since cells behave differently depending on the degree of damage and severity of the disease. You can equally count on complete cure or absolutely zero result.

When choosing an irradiation method important role the location of the tumor plays a role, since it may be located near vital important organs or vessels. Internal exposure occurs when placing a radio active substance into the body through the digestive tract, bronchi, bladder or vagina. The substance can also be injected into blood vessels or through contact during surgery.

But external radiation comes through the skin. It can be general or focused on a specific area. The source of exposure can be radioactive chemicals or special medical equipment. If external and internal irradiation is performed simultaneously, it is called combined radiotherapy. Based on the distance between the skin and the beam source, remote, close-focus and contact irradiation is distinguished.

Algorithm of actions

But how is radiation therapy done for oncology? Treatment begins with histological confirmation of the presence of a tumor. Already on the basis of this document, tissue affiliation, localization and clinical stage. The radiologist, based on these data, calculates the radiation dose and the number of sessions required for treatment. All calculations can now be done automatically, since there are appropriate computer programs. Available data also help determine whether radiation therapy should be given in combination with or without other modalities. If the treatment is combined, then irradiation can be carried out both before and after surgery. According to the standard, the duration of the course of radiation before surgery should be no more than three weeks. During this time, radiation therapy can significantly reduce the size of the tumor. In oncology, reviews of this method are very polar, since the effect remains unpredictable. It also happens that the body literally repels radiation or accepts it with healthy cells rather than diseased ones.

If radiation therapy is carried out after surgery, it can last from a month to two.

Side effects of the procedure

After starting a course of treatment, a sick person may experience weakness and chronic fatigue. His appetite decreases and his mood worsens. Accordingly, he can lose a lot of weight. Changes can be observed in tests - the number of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes in the blood decreases. In some cases, the site of contact with the beam may become swollen and inflamed. This can cause ulcers to form.

Until recently, irradiation was carried out without taking into account the fact that healthy cells could also fall into the action zone. However, science is moving forward and intraoperative radiation therapy has appeared in breast oncology. The essence of the technique is that the irradiation process can be started at the surgical stage, that is, after excision, the beam can be directed to the intervention site. Promptness in this matter allows us to minimize the likelihood of residual tumor, as it is neutralized.

With a breast tumor, a woman always has the risk that she will have to part with her breasts. This prospect is often even more frightening than fatal disease. And breast restoration through the intervention of plastic surgeons is too expensive for the average woman. Therefore, women turn to radiation therapy as a means of salvation, since it can allow them to limit themselves to excision of the tumor itself, rather than removing the gland completely. Places of possible germination will be treated with rays.

The effect of radiation therapy directly depends on the patient’s health, his mood, existing side diseases and the depth of penetration of radiological rays. Often the effects of radiation appear in those patients who have undergone a long course of treatment. Minor pain may occur for a long time– it is the affected muscle tissue that reminds of itself.

The main problem of women

According to statistics, radiation therapy in uterine oncology is the most common treatment method. This pathology occurs in older women. It must be said that the uterus is a multi-layered organ, and cancer affects the walls, spreading to other organs and tissues. IN last years Uterine cancer also occurs among young women, which doctors often explain early onset sexual activity and carelessness regarding contraception. If you “catch” the disease at an early stage, then it can be cured completely, but in the late period it will not be possible to achieve complete remission, but following the recommendations of the oncologist, you can prolong a person’s life.

Treatment for uterine cancer is based on surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A bonus is hormonal treatment, special diet and immunotherapy. If the cancer is actively progressing, then excision is not the right method. Better results can be achieved through irradiation. The procedure is prohibited in case of anemia, radiation sickness, multiple metastases and other ailments.

Radiotherapeutic techniques may vary in the distance between the source and the affected area. Contact radiotherapy is the mildest, since it involves internal exposure: a catheter is inserted into the vagina. Healthy tissues are practically not affected. In this case, can the cancer suffered be harmless? After radiation therapy, after removal of the uterus and other unpleasant procedures, the woman is weak and vulnerable, so she absolutely needs to reconsider her lifestyle and diet.

The uterus is removed if the tumor has grown greatly and affected the entire organ. Alas, in this situation, the possibility of further procreation is called into question. But this is not the time to regret, since such radical measures will extend the life of a sick woman. Now you need to reduce intoxication, which is done by drinking plenty of water, taking plant food And vitamin complexes with the lion's share of antioxidants. Protein foods should be introduced into the diet gradually, focusing on fish, chicken or rabbit meat. Bad habits need to be eliminated once and for all, and preventive visits to an oncologist made a rule.

It is worth including foods that have anti-cancer effects in your diet. These include potatoes, cabbage in all varieties, onions, herbs and various spices. You can focus on dishes made from cereals or whole grains. Soybeans, asparagus and peas are held in high esteem. Beans, beets, carrots and fresh fruits are also useful. It’s still better to replace meat with fish and eat more often dairy products low fat content. But all alcoholic drinks, strong tea, smoked and salty foods, and marinades are prohibited. We'll have to say goodbye to chocolate, processed foods and fast food.

Key differences between radiation and chemotherapy

The choice of treatment tactics for a malignant neoplasm identified in a person is the priority of radiation and chemotherapy; it is recommended to entrust it to a highly qualified specialist. Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. What is the difference and which method will be best can be clarified with your doctor during a consultation.

What is chemotherapy?

Targeted impact on the focus of mutated cells in the patient’s body through the introduction of special medications - chemotherapy.

This method of getting rid of the cancer process implies the following goals:

• maximum suppression of the activity of cancer elements;
• formation necessary conditions for further surgical excision of the lesion;
• postoperative suppression of unresolved mutated cells.

Mechanism of therapeutic effect medications– chemistry – on the tissues and organs of a cancer patient is quite simple. It is carried out at the molecular level - the intracellular structure itself is destroyed, the active growth of mutated elements is suppressed.

For maximum effectiveness, specialists prescribe combinations of various antitumor medications. In addition, medications that help improve immune barriers may be recommended.

A highly qualified specialist selects the optimal treatment regimen based on many factors - the nature of the malignant neoplasm, the patient’s age category, and his susceptibility to chemotherapy.

Exist various ways delivery to the outbreak:

• pills;
• applying ointments;
• ampoules;
• using catheters;
• introduction into the abdominal cavity;
• intralumbar.

Chemotherapy significantly increases the chances of survival of cancer patients, but its use is associated with various negative consequences. After all, when it is used, damage occurs to healthy cells of the human body. At correct selection methods of administering chemotherapy, most of the damaged structures will subsequently recover.

What is radiation therapy

The effect of ionizing radiation on a tumor is called radiation therapy by specialists. Targeted irradiation of the projection of the focus of cancer cells leads to their reverse development and death.

Modern diagnostic methods help determine the exact location and size of the tumor. The patient is carefully prepared for each medical procedure. To avoid severe consequences Modern devices with directed radiation help.

The course, as a rule, consists of 3-4 sessions, the duration of each is determined by an oncologist.

There are also undesirable effects of radiation therapy, for example, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and disruption of the functioning of certain organs. However, the expected benefit allows patients to survive discomfort and reduce them to a minimum.

This method of getting rid of the cancer process can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other methods, for example, chemotherapy. The timing also varies:

• in order to optimally reduce the size of the tumor focus - before surgery;
• for maximum destruction of possible remaining cancer cells - after excision of the main focus;
• with a significant prevalence and neglect of the pathology - in order to reduce negative symptoms.

After completing the courses of radiation therapy, the side effects that arose during its implementation, as a rule, disappear on their own.

Carrying out chemotherapy

Administration of drugs to suppress the growth of mutated cells can be carried out in various ways. The most popular, of course, is the oral method of delivering drugs to the tumor site. However, experts emphasize that the negativity of this method is very high.

Chemical components entering the bloodstream have a systemic effect on all tissues and organs.

Second delivery method antitumor drugs - intravenous administration. It allows chemical compounds quickly reach the malignant focus, in a practically unchanged state. The negative aspects are similar to those described above - oppression of neighboring tissues and organs, the formation of anemia, cachexia, hair loss.

IN in some cases It is possible to carry out chemotherapy with chemotherapy by directly introducing them into a malignant formation.

In contrast to the above methods, the concentration of chemical components in the required area is much higher. This helps to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

In the absence of contraindications, the optimal and most simple method In the fight against cancer, taking chemotherapy drugs in tablet or ampoule form is considered - the patient does not need to visit a medical facility every day. It is enough just to complete the course on your own, with a certain frequency of visiting a specialist and passing the necessary tests.

Chemotherapy is considered more effective if the administration of medications that can suppress the activity of mutation processes in cells is carried out by injection. However, this is simply impossible to do at home; mandatory supervision by medical workers is required.

Carrying out radiation therapy

External targeted radiation exposure, carried out using special equipment, is radiation therapy. The principle of its therapeutic effect is the targeted irradiation of a part of the patient’s body that is motionless.

The device is adjusted by a specialist to a certain dose of radiation.

The standard course of radiation therapy is 4–5 procedures with a break of 2–10 weeks. Each session can last from 10 to 30 minutes. The duration and frequency of irradiation will directly depend on the nature of the malignant neoplasm and the type of cell mutation.

Breaks between irradiation sessions are required to restore the activity of healthy cellular structures. Cancerous elements should not have time to multiply, since they are more susceptible to radiation.

Much less often, a specialist may prescribe only a single exposure to radiation therapy, for example, to weaken pain impulses or other unpleasant manifestations of the oncological process.

To avoid receiving excessive doses of radiation by the tissues surrounding the lesion, the person is fixed to the table surface. In this case, the device rotates around the person, according to the irradiation program entered into it - the desired area of ​​the patient’s body is exposed from different angles.

The tumor focus will receive maximum dose radiation, and the surrounding tissues are minimal. If a person suddenly feels worse during the procedure, he can contact a specialist via intercom. In addition, monitoring of the vital parameters of a cancer patient is mandatory.

Main differences

Each of the above methods of dealing with tumor process has its positive and negative sides. It is recommended to entrust the choice of optimal treatment for the disease to a highly qualified specialist.

To the main distinctive features Chemotherapy and radiation therapy should include:

1. The need to introduce various substances toxic to the human body is a feature of chemotherapy.
2. Treatment of a tumor lesion with ionizing radiation is the prerogative of radiation exposure: the procedure requires special equipment.
3. Chemotherapy is more effective in the early stages of detecting cell mutations - when the focus is single, there is no damage to distant organs.
4. In the case of exposure to a directed beam of radiation, the process of destruction and subsequent death of cancerous elements begins: in this case, neighboring areas necessarily suffer, and colloidal tissue grows.
5. Radiation can be used as an independent method of suppressing cancer activity - it has been proven effective before surgery to excise a tumor focus.

The main goal of any treatment tactics for malignant neoplasms is to maximally suppress the activity of cancer cells. Therefore, most often, a specialist recommends a combination of chemotherapy and radiation exposure.

Radiation therapy is prescribed, as a rule, in the initial stages of the disease, when the tumor foci are clearly localized. In advanced cases, when metastases have occurred, it is necessary to influence not “locally”, but the entire body. Then only “chemistry” remains. Mother's medical history.

Radiation therapy is also prescribed after surgery as a safety net. But the consequences, the so-called side effects, are quite severe. My mother, for example, had a burn to her esophagus after breast irradiation. Only all this is restored and you have to be patient in order to finish off the disease.

And many sick people were saved by these terrible procedures, which kill not only sick, but also healthy cells.

It is clear that radiation therapy is a therapy with a clearly targeted effect, that is, on a specific area. But sometimes, even with clear localization, radiation therapy can bring more harm than chemotherapy, since when it is used, vital organs can be damaged. The doctor decides everything!

The doctor prescribed only chemotherapy for my father, because the metastases were in different organs. Radiation exposure simply could not cope with such a volume of work.

© 2016–2018 – Oncology portal “Pro-Cancer.ru”

Described methods of diagnosis, treatment, traditional medicine recipes, etc. It is not recommended to use it yourself. Be sure to consult a specialist so as not to harm your health!

Complications of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, methods of preventing and combating them: recommendations from doctors

Based on materials from the magazine "Together Against Cancer" and http://www. netoncology. ru

Practice shows that when using modern chemotherapy regimens, patients can lose 1-2 kg of weight, which when proper nutrition are restored during the break between courses of treatment. Loss of appetite usually begins on the day of the procedure and continues for several days thereafter. In these cases, it is necessary to eat as much as possible between courses, when your health improves. If you feel hungry, you should eat, even if it is not time to eat.

Loss of appetite is not the only side effect of chemotherapy. Treatment with many anticancer drugs is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

There are a large number of antiemetic drugs available to prevent vomiting. In addition to numerous medications, nausea can be reduced by following these recommendations:

2. Before breakfast, suck on a piece of ice, a slice of frozen lemon, tkemali sour plum, cherry plum or several cranberries and lingonberries.

3. Eat dry foods on an empty stomach: crackers, crackers, toast, cookies, etc.

4. Eat small meals throughout the day so that your stomach does not feel full.

5. Avoid foods that have a specific taste, and do not eat foods with a strong smell.

6. Do not eat fried, especially fatty foods, milk sauces, whole milk (these dishes can be reintroduced into the diet when the nausea passes).

7. Don't eat too sweet foods.

8. Do not eat excessively salty, spicy and hot foods.

9. Eat chilled food: meat, cottage cheese, fruit. Nausea can be reduced by acidic foods (lemons, cranberries, pickles), pickles and tomatoes, as well as popsicles.

10. Avoid drinking liquids during meals to prevent your stomach from filling with liquid. Drink more between meals. Take liquid at least one hour before meals. Drink cold, unsweetened drinks.

11. Eat food slowly so that a large amount of food does not enter the stomach at the same time; Chew food thoroughly.

12. Avoid eating immediately before drug administration.

Cells of the gastrointestinal tract are very vulnerable to toxic effect some chemotherapy drugs. Damage to these cells leads to frequent and loose stools – diarrhea (diarrhea).

Another unpleasant consequence of the use of some anticancer drugs is stomatitis - damage to the oral mucosa, leading to its inflammation, and when severe forms to painful ulcers and infections.

1. Avoid irritation of the oral cavity with alcohol, spicy food, hot and sour foods, dry foods and salty foods, as well as vegetables and fruits with a high acid content (tomatoes, grapefruits, lemons, sour varieties apples, plums, etc.).

2. Rinse your mouth with a soda solution (1/2 teaspoon of soda per glass of water), saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water), as well as infusion of chamomile, sage, oak bark, St. John's wort.

Constipation occurs quite rarely as a result of taking chemotherapy drugs.

You should avoid spicy foods, as well as products containing tannins (strong tea, cocoa, decoctions and jelly from blueberries, pears, quince).

Alopecia (baldness) is a fairly common side effect of chemotherapy. Hair loss occurs because the anti-cancer drug not only kills tumor cells, but also damages healthy tissue, including hair follicles.

Use mild shampoos.

Wash your hair with warm, but not hot water.

Brush your hair with a soft brush.

Do not over-dry your hair with a hairdryer.

Do not use curlers or curling irons to style your hair.

Don't get a perm.

Protect your scalp from hypothermia and direct sun rays.

For many, especially women, hair loss is a real tragedy. But we must remember that in most cases, after completion of chemotherapy, the hairline is completely restored. Sometimes, however, hair grows back a different color or texture.

The therapeutic effect when using anticancer drugs is accompanied by various side effects, which patients need to know about in order to determine the moment of their appearance, be able to prevent or treat with the help of special medications, as well as diet and lifestyle.

During chemotherapy, it is advisable to increase the amount of fluid by consuming vegetable, fruit and berry juices. The feasibility of this increases significantly when treated with platinum drugs. Carrot, beet, tomato, raspberry and lingonberry juices are especially useful.

Alcoholic drinks excluded during a course of chemotherapy.

If the liver is damaged, it is recommended to exclude fried, spicy and salty foods from the diet. Avoid fatty meats and fish, marinades, sausages, ham, mushrooms and foods rich in cholesterol (brains, egg yolks, fish and mushroom soups, broths). During an exacerbation period, turnips, radishes, rhubarb, onions, beans, and peas are not recommended.

If kidney function is impaired, a low-protein diet with a sharply limited amount of salt is prescribed. Recommended: dairy dishes, including cheeses and curd spreads, vegetable, eggplant and squash caviar, cooked without hot spices, ghee and vegetable butter. First courses include borscht, beetroot soup, vegetable, fruit and cereal soups without hot spices and with a small amount of salt.

Complications of radiation therapy occur quite often, mainly in patients undergoing long courses of treatment with high total radiation doses. However, in most cases they are moderate in nature and do not interfere with the implementation of a full-fledged treatment complex. Some complications may develop after the end of the course of radiation, since its effect may continue to be realized in the tissues even after discharge from the hospital.

Here you will find information about the most common side effects, methods for preventing and combating them.

Nausea is a common complication of radiation therapy to the abdominal area. Some patients note that nausea bothers them less if they go to radiation therapy on an empty stomach. Others say that eating a small amount before radiation reduces the feeling of nausea. Nausea may be relieved by eating 2 hours after exposure. If the problem is not resolved, ask your doctor to prescribe you antiemetic medications. If you have been prescribed them, take them about an hour before radiation, or as advised by your doctor, even if you think you no longer need them.

If your stomach upset begins just before any treatment, nausea may be a result of anxiety and thoughts about cancer treatment. Try eating some cookies with some apple juice. This will also help you feel calm before the procedure begins. Reading a book, writing a letter, or doing a crossword puzzle will help you relax.

Why is this happening?

Nausea and vomiting may occur after radiation to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and brain. The risk of these side effects depends on the dose of radiation, the area of ​​radiation, and whether chemotherapy is given.

How long do these symptoms last?

Nausea and vomiting may appear 30 minutes to several hours after the end of the RT session. You will likely feel better on days when there is no radiation exposure.

How to cope with nausea and vomiting?

Preventing nausea. The best way prevent vomiting is to prevent nausea. One way is to eat gentle foods and drinks that do not cause stomach upset.

Try to relax before your RT session. The feeling of nausea may be less if you relax. You can read a book, listen to music, etc.

Plan your meal times. Some people feel better if they eat before their RT session, some don't. Determine the best time. For example, you may need to eat a snack 2 hours before your session. Or is it easier for you to tolerate radiation therapy if the radiation is carried out on an empty stomach (do not eat 2-3 hours before the session).

Eat small meals 5-6 times a day rather than large meals 3 times a day.

Eat warm foods (not cold or hot).

Talk to your doctor and nurse. The doctor may recommend a special diet or prescribe a drug to suppress nausea. You can learn about acupuncture.

Diarrhea is frequent, loose or loose stools. May appear at any time during radiation therapy.

Why does diarrhea occur?

Irradiation of the pelvis, stomach, and abdomen can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs due to radiation damage to normal cells of the small and large intestines.

How to deal with diarrhea?

When did the diarrhea start:

Drink 8-12 cups of fluid per day. Drinks with high sugar content should be diluted with water.

Eat more often and in small portions. For example, it is better to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day than to eat 3 meals a day and eat more.

Eat easily digestible foods (foods with low content fibre, fat and lactose).

Take care of the anal area. Use baby wipes or a bidet instead of toilet paper. Tell your doctor if inflammation or anything like that occurs in the anal area.

Continue a low-fat, low-lactose, and low-fiber diet for 2 weeks after finishing radiation therapy. Gradually introduce new foods into your diet. You can start with small portions of low fiber foods, such as rice, bananas, Apple juice, mashed potatoes, low-fat cheese, bread.

Make sure your diet includes plenty of foods high in potassium (bananas, potatoes, peaches), an important mineral lost during diarrhea.

o Milk and dairy products (ice cream, sour cream, cheese)

o Foods and drinks with caffeine (coffee, black tea and chocolate)

o Foods or liquids that cause gas (legumes, cabbage, broccoli, soy products)

o High fiber foods ( raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, cereal and grain products)

o Fried and fatty foods

o Fast food establishments

Talk to your doctor and nurse. Tell them if diarrhea occurs. They will tell you what to do and may prescribe medications such as Imodium®.

If you are scheduled for radiation to any area of ​​the pelvis, you may experience digestive problems. The bladder may also be irritated, which may cause discomfort or frequent urination. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce this discomfort. Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks. Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications to treat these problems (eg, palin, 5-NOK, etc.).

Effects of radiation therapy on sexual and reproductive functions depend on which organs are in the irradiation zone. Some more common side effects go away when treatment ends. Others may exist for a long time or remain forever. Before starting treatment, ask your doctor about possible side effects and how long they will last.

Depending on the dose of radiation, women receiving radiation therapy to the pelvis may stop menstruating; You may also experience other menopausal symptoms, such as itching, burning, and vaginal dryness. You must report these symptoms to your doctor so treatment can begin.

Effect on fertility

Scientists are still studying how radiation therapy affects fertility. If you are a woman childbearing age It is important to discuss birth control and fertility aspects with your doctor. You should not become pregnant during radiation therapy because... This treatment during pregnancy can damage the fetus, especially in the first 3 months. If you become pregnant before starting radiation therapy, tell your doctor so that the fetus can be protected from radiation if possible.

Radiation therapy to the area including the testicles can reduce both sperm count and fertility. However, this does not mean that fertilization cannot occur. Ask your doctor about effective contraception during radiation therapy. If you have any concerns about your fertility, discuss them with your doctor. For example, if you want to have children, you may be concerned about decreased fertility after your treatment ends. Your doctor can help you provide information about donating sperm to a sperm bank before starting treatment.

The methods used in the KM PAF System for the treatment of infertility will help you overcome the effects of radiation therapy on sexual and reproductive functions (in the absence of contraindications, and also if these effects have not become irreversible).

Fatigue is a common side effect and it is very likely that the patient will feel some degree of fatigue during radiotherapy.

Why does fatigue occur?

How long does fatigue last?

When you first feel tired depends on various factors, including: on age, health, lifestyle.

Fatigue may last from 6 weeks to 12 months after completion of RT.

How to cope with fatigue?

Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. To sleep better at night, you should be more active during the day. For example, you can go for walks, ride a bike, or run. Also, to sleep better, you can try to relax before bed, for example, read a book or listen to calm music.

Take time to relax. You may need to take a nap during the day. Try not to sleep more than 1 hour.

Don't try to do too much. With fatigue, you may not have as much energy to do anything. Stay active, but don't overdo it.

Physical exercise. Most people get better with a little exercise every day. Take a minute's walk or stretch. Discuss this with your doctor.

Develop a work schedule that is convenient for you. Fatigue can affect the amount of energy needed to perform work. You may not need to change your work schedule, but may need to work less.

Plan an LT plan that is convenient for you. You may want to tailor your LT plan to fit your work or family needs.

Let others help you at home. Ask family members, relatives, friends, or inquire about the insurance company's services.

Ask others with cancer. People with cancer can help each other by sharing tips for coping. Ask your doctor if there are support groups or societies.

Talk to your doctor and nurse. If you find it difficult to cope with fatigue, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce it. Your doctor may also prescribe additional treatment anemia, insomnia or depressive disorders.

The most famous and recognized program in oncology for improving psychological status is the Simonton oncopsychotherapeutic program; other methods of psychosomatic correction can also provide invaluable assistance to you. They help activate the self-healing potential of the body and psyche, significantly increase the effectiveness of combating the disease, and significantly reduce the side effects associated with clinical treatment, relieve stress, depression, anxiety states and insomnia, promote personal growth and self-improvement. One of the unique features of the programs offered is the ability to complete the entire health course at home at a time convenient for you. They will help you solve your most pressing problems and take a fresh look at life. You can get acquainted with the above-mentioned programs and apply them in practice by turning to the “Psychosomatic correction” section.

And we should always remember that the fundamental principle in confronting any human ailment is his constant, sincere, deep and purposeful moral work on himself, leading to his spiritual self-improvement and healing. You can familiarize yourself with an example of healing spiritual practice for the entire period of counteracting the disease by referring to the section “Healing Spiritual Practice.”

Why does hair loss occur?

RT can cause hair loss because... damages cells in the hair roots.

Hair loss occurs only in the area that is irradiated, unlike chemotherapy, when all the hair falls out.

How long does hair loss last?

Hair loss in the treated area may begin 2-3 weeks after the first RT session. Hair in the irradiated area will fall out in about a week. Hair may grow back 3-6 months after completion of RT. If the radiation dose was high, the hair may not grow.

When hair grows back, it may be different in structure and color.

How to deal with scalp hair loss?

• Determine whether you will cut or shave the hair on your head. This will help you better control your hair loss.
• If you are planning to buy a wig, buy it while you still have hair. Best time purchasing a wig - before the start of LT or immediately at the beginning. That. The wig will match the color and structure of the hair. Choose a wig that is comfortable.
• Wash your hair carefully. Use a mild shampoo (like baby shampoo). Do not dry your hair harshly with a towel.
• Do not use curling devices, hair ties, gels, sprays, hair sprays or mousses. They can damage the skin or cause hair to fall out earlier.

After hair loss:

• Protect your skin. After hair loss, your skin may become more sensitive. Use a hat/cap/cap/scarf. Try to avoid places with very high or low temperatures.
• Stay warm. Hair warms the skin, so after hair loss you may feel cold. Wear hats.
• Hair loss occurs only at the site of irradiation.

What can happen?

Radiation to the head and neck can cause the following problems:

Ulcers and sores in the mouth

Dry mouth (xerostomia) and throat

Loss of taste sensitivity

Changes in taste ( metallic taste when eating)

Infections of the gums, teeth or tongue

Changes in the temporal joint and bones

Radiation kills cancer cells and damages normal ones. salivary glands, oral mucosa.

Some symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, may go away after treatment is completed. Some (such as changes in taste) can persist for months or even years. Some may remain permanently (dry mouth).

Visit your dentist at least 2 weeks before having radiation to your head or neck.

If you are scheduled for radiation to the head or neck, see your dentist at least 2 weeks before you begin radiation to the head or neck. The dentist will examine the oral cavity and teeth, and may necessary treatment. If it is not possible to see a dentist before starting RT, ask your doctor if you should see a dentist after starting RT.

Examine your mouth every day. That. You will detect problems (ulcers, white plaque, infection) as early as possible.

Keep your mouth moist.

o Drink water often

o Suck on sugar-free candies

o Chew sugar-free gum

o Use a saliva substitute

o Ask your doctor to prescribe medications to increase saliva

Brush your teeth, gums and tongue after every meal and before bed.

o Use the softest toothbrush. To make the bristles even softer, rinse them with warm water before brushing your teeth.

o Use fluoride toothpastes.

o Use a special fluoride gel.

o Do not use mouth rinses that contain alcohol.

o Floss carefully every day. Do not treat only areas that are bleeding or painful.

o Rinse your mouth every 1-2 hours with a solution: a quarter teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water.

o If you have dentures, make sure they fit well. If you lose weight, you may need to have new dentures made.

o Clean and rinse your dentures every day.

Pay attention to what you eat when mouth ulcers appear.

o Choose foods that are easy to chew and swallow.

o Take a small bite, chew slowly and drink liquid.

o Eat moist, soft foods.

o Avoid eating too hot or cold food.

Avoid anything that can damage your mouth, such as:

o Hard, crunchy foods (chips, nuts, crackers)

o Fruits and juices with high acid content (tomatoes, citrus fruits)

o Toothpicks and other sharp objects

o All tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco)

Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar. These foods can damage your teeth.

Warm up temporal joint 3 times a day.

Exercise your chewing muscles. Open and close your mouth 20 times. Do this 3 times a day.

Medications. Ask your doctor about medications that protect the salivary glands and oral mucosa.

Tell your doctor if your mouth hurts. There are drugs and gels that cope with pain.

You will need to take extra care of your oral health throughout your life. Ask your dentist how often you will need to visit him and how best to care for your mouth after treatment is completed.

Avoid tobacco products and alcohol while receiving radiation to the head and neck.

Radiation may affect the skin in the area being irradiated.

Redness. The skin in the irradiation area feels slightly burned.

Itching. The itching can be so severe that some people scratch their skin vigorously. This can lead to skin damage and infection.

Dryness and flaking of the skin.

Diaper rash. During irradiation, the skin peels off faster, which can lead to wounds and ulcers. The skin in the fold area may become scaly.

Radiation kills skin cells. When irradiated every day, the cells do not have time to renew and grow.

Skin changes may begin several weeks after RT. Many disappear after the end of RT. But even after the end of RT, these changes may remain. Irradiated skin may appear darker or appear mottled. There may be dry skin. Sensitivity to the sun may change. There will always be a risk of developing skin cancer in irradiated areas. It is necessary to protect the skin from sunlight (long sleeves, hats, use creams with a protection factor of at least 30).

Skin care. Take extra care of your skin during RT. Do not scrub or itch the skin. Use creams recommended by your doctor.

Do not apply hot or cold heating pads to the irradiated area. Rinse with warm water.

Be careful when showering or bathing. You can take a warm shower every day. If you prefer a bath, do not stay more than half an hour. Use mild soap.

Don't wash away your LT marks!

Use only those skin care products that your doctor recommends. If you use skin care products, tell your doctor before starting RT.

Check with your doctor about using these medications before using them:

o bath foam

o corn starch

o hair removal products

o sunscreen

If you use any products on radiation days, use them at least 4 hours before the start of the session.

Cool damp places. These conditions are good for the skin. Humidify the air in the room (with a spray bottle).

Soft fabrics. Wear clothes and sleep on soft fabric bedding.

Do not wear tight or non-breathable clothing (such as belts and tights).

Protect your skin from the sun every day. The sun can burn your skin even on cloudy days. Don't go to the beach. Wear hats and long sleeves. Ask your doctor if sunscreen (SPF 30) is needed. These rules must be followed even after completion of RT, because There is an increased risk of developing skin cancer throughout life after RT.

Don't go to the solarium. Solarium has the same harmful effect as the sun's rays.

Plasters. Do not use patches in the area being treated.

Shaving. Ask your doctor if you can shave the area being treated. It is better to use an electric razor and not apply products before shaving.

Anal area. Skin problems may also occur in the anal area. It is better to use baby wipes or a bidet.

Talk to your doctor and nurse. Some skin problems may be serious. Be sure to tell your doctor about any skin problems if they develop.

Medications. The drugs can eliminate skin problems. Lotions for dry skin, antibiotics for infections and other medications, for example, to relieve itching.

Irradiation of the neck and chest can cause inflammation in the esophagus - esophagitis. There may be a burning sensation in the chest and difficulty swallowing food.

Irradiation of the neck and chest leads not only to the destruction of cancer cells, but also damage to healthy ones, which is why inflammation occurs. The risk of such side effects depends on the radiation dose, the presence of chemotherapy, and the consumption of tobacco products and alcohol during RT.

Typically, changes in the throat begin 2-3 weeks after the start of RT. You will likely feel better within 4-6 weeks of completing RT.

Be careful about the food you eat when your throat becomes inflamed.

o Eat foods that are easy to swallow.

o Cut and chop food to make it easier to swallow.

o Consume moist, soft foods.

o Drink cool drinks.

o Drink in small sips.

o Eat warm food.

Eat small meals.

Choose products with great energy value and high protein content. When it hurts to swallow, a person begins to eat less and therefore may lose weight. It is important to maintain the same weight throughout the RT.

Sit up straight and tilt your head slightly forward when eating and drinking. Remain in an upright position for 30 minutes after eating.

Avoid foods that may hurt your throat:

o Hot food and drinks

o Foods and juices with a high acid content (tomatoes, citrus fruits)

o Hard, crunchy foods (chips, crackers)

o Tobacco products, alcohol

Talk to a nutritionist. He will tell you how to maintain weight and choose the best products.

Talk to your doctor and nurse.

Tell your doctor if you experience throat problems, pain, or weight loss. The doctor can advise the necessary medications.

Let your doctor know if:

Difficulty swallowing

Cough while eating

LT can cause the following problems:

Burning or pain while urinating or after

Difficulty starting to urinate

Difficulty emptying the bladder

Cystitis – inflammation of the bladder

Urinary incontinence (especially when coughing and sneezing)

Urge to urinate at night

Bladder spasms

Radiation damages healthy cells in the kidneys and bladder, which can lead to inflammation, infection and ulcers.

Urinary tract disorders usually begin 3-5 weeks after the start of RT. Basically, all problems go away within 2-8 weeks after completion of treatment.

Drink plenty of fluids. This means 6-8 cups per day. Try to keep your urine color slightly yellow.

And avoid coffee, black tea, alcohol, spices and all tobacco products.

Talk to your doctor if you think you have problems with your urinary tract.

Your doctor may take a urine test to check for infection.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection. Other medications will help improve urination, reduce pain and eliminate bladder spasms.

Tell your doctor if urinary incontinence occurs. Your doctor may recommend bladder exercises.

During the course of radiation therapy, specific dietary recommendations are prescribed only if there is a possibility that areas of the intestine may enter the irradiation field, i.e. with radiation therapy to the abdomen and pelvis.

Long courses of radiation therapy can provoke the development of enteritis, i.e. inflammation of the intestine, which mainly manifests itself aching pain in the abdominal area, the appearance of rapid loose stool. To limit traumatic and irritant effect food bolus on the intestines, it is recommended to limit the consumption of “rough” foods - bran, fruits, vegetables, etc. - during radiation therapy.

Taking drugs from the group of eubiotics to restore normal intestinal microflora can have a positive effect.

In addition, it is necessary to follow general dietary recommendations and avoid drinking alcohol. It should be remembered that the effects of radiation therapy can last for a month after the end of the course of treatment. Dieting is also indicated during this period.

1. Daily use plant foods (fruits and vegetables).

2. Limiting the consumption of spicy, salty and fatty foods.

3. Limiting the consumption of red meat (most nutritionists agree on the need to reduce its consumption to 2 times a week).

That excess consumption of fatty foods and red meat is associated with increased risk development of some oncological diseases, has been known for quite a long time from the results of large population studies. However, only recently have scientists discovered a mechanism that may be key to this pattern of carcinogenesis.

Excessive consumption of fatty foods causes in response excessive secretion of insulin, the main hormone that regulates metabolism and the concentration of glucose in the blood. In parallel with the increase in insulin levels, the concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a biologically active substance, also increases through indirect mechanisms. high concentrations capable of stimulating malignant cell degeneration. According to molecular studies, IGF receptors are found in the majority of colon and rectal tumors diagnosed at early stages.

The most important component dietary nutrition are supplementation programs. You can find information about their components in the sections “Personal wellness” and “Cellular health”.

Traditionally, when treating certain tumors, a certain method is used that has shown its effectiveness. Radiation and chemotherapy have their advantages and disadvantages.

DIFFERENT REACTION

Thus, in the case of radiation therapy, the effect is often localized, so local side reactions occur, such as redness and inflammation of the skin in the area of ​​​​exposure, disturbances in bowel movements (in case of irradiation of the intestines), and urination (in case of irradiation of the bladder). Late reactions, described in 5-10% of patients, include tissue necrosis and adhesion formation. Blood changes are rare, except in cases of radiation bone marrow; nausea and vomiting are less pronounced.

With chemotherapy, on the contrary, systemic adverse reactions are more often observed - hair loss, nausea, vomiting, changes in the blood picture. The effect on the skin and mucous membranes is individual and depends on the aggressiveness of the treatment. The advantage is the impact on possible distant metastases, which are indistinguishable even with the help of imaging methods such as X-ray, CT and MRI.

“However, with chemotherapy it is not always possible to specifically reach tumor cells, which in some cases leads to the development of metastases or relapse,” says Rita Engenhart-Chabillich, President of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO). “Even though radiation therapy is generally much better tolerated by patients than cytostatic drugs, it also has limits of effectiveness,” shares Michael Baumann, director of the Radiotherapy Clinic at the University of Dresden.

COMBINATION

In most cases, radiation and chemotherapy are not opposed, but are prescribed in combination. This method is called radiochemotherapy. In combination treatment, the cytostatic agent is administered approximately 30 minutes before irradiation. This treatment is used in the case of malignant neoplasms of the rectum and colon, esophagus, cervix, bladder, inoperable tumors of the neck and throat, and small cell lung cancer. Currently, combinations with cytostatics such as cisplastin, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin and temozolomide are widely used. With radiochemotherapy, the load on the body is much greater, so treatment is often performed in an inpatient setting. Very often observed quick effect reducing the size of the tumor, which can even lead to bleeding and perforation. Therefore, sometimes combination therapy is contraindicated, for example, in the case of esophageal carcinoma with tracheal infiltration.

Compared with radiation or chemotherapy alone, combination therapy has several advantages. Thus, a complex effect on cellular processes is carried out, the sensitivity of tumor cells to the effects increases. The best effect was observed for rapidly growing tumors; treatment in this case should be performed in the shortest possible time period. For combination treatment, if possible, specific drugs that affect a specific type of tumor are selected. Combination therapy improves the prognosis of patients (tumors of the neck and larynx), helps to avoid surgery (tumors of the anal region) and reduce the frequency of relapses (rectal cancer). According to DEGRO recommendations, treatment should, if possible, be carried out by one doctor - a radiation oncologist, or by several doctors in close cooperation.

Dr. Sophia Rothermel

More on the topic:

• Radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Medicine in Germany. Information for doctors

Conduct a correspondence consultation with a German colleague, hold a teleconference, discuss the patient with specialists, come for treatment to Germany or for an internship, practice or scientific conference, understand the features of healthcare and organization medical care in your specialty, learn about ongoing conferences, congresses and medical exhibitions, get acquainted with new products medical literature, learn a little more about treatment in Germany and its clinics than is presented on the Internet.

you will find all this and much more on the pages of the magazine in the “Information for Doctors” section.

Public transport in Germany

When arriving by plane for treatment in Germany, you can travel from the airport to your destination by rail relatively inexpensively. The country has an extensive railway network. The German Railways concern - Deutsche Bahn (DB) offers several types of trains that differ not only in appearance, but also, first of all, in speed and fare. ICE (Inter City Express) and IC (Inter City) are the fastest and most comfortable express trains on which you can reach not only major cities in Germany, but also 6 neighboring countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland .

The success of treatment largely depends on diagnosis

The alpha and omega of successful treatment is an accurate diagnosis. Only when all the factors that cause and maintain the disease are known, can an optimal, detailed treatment plan be developed and maximum success achieved. Therefore, in German medicine, diagnostics plays a decisive role.

Types of medical diagnostics can be classified according to the stage of its implementation:

• preventive, or early recognition of the disease;
• clarifying – to compile the most complete picture of it;
• and control - after treatment or surgery, depending on the risk of relapse, single or periodic, allowing to consolidate and monitor the therapeutic effect.

© 2016 Medplus24 - Magazine “Treatment in Germany”. All rights reserved

Modern methods of fighting cancer: what is chemotherapy and radiation

People suffering from cancer are very familiar with the concepts of chemotherapy and radiation, which are modern methods of treating cancer.

The treatment tactics for each patient are chosen by the oncologist individually. The main advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy and radiation therapy should be considered in more detail.

Features of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a holistic effect on the patient’s cancer cells through the use of special medications.

These oncology treatment tactics pursue the following main goals:

• complete destruction of malignant neoplasms;
• creating the necessary conditions for carrying out planned surgical intervention;
• postoperative destruction of remaining tumor cells.

The mechanism of action of special drugs on the body of a cancer patient is simple. The drugs affect malignant tumors at the cellular level: they destroy their internal structure, inhibit growth and division. Almost always, for greater effectiveness, the use of several antitumor drugs is prescribed at once. Additionally, drugs that enhance immunity can be used.

Only an experienced oncologist, depending on many factors, must determine the duration of chemotherapy, select the types of medications, choose the method of drug administration, etc. Chemotherapy is most often prescribed in courses, with mandatory periods for the body to recover. There are various ways to administer drugs:

• using tablets, capsules;
• use of ointments or solutions;
• injections into muscles, into tumors;
• through a catheter into a peripheral or central vein;
• into an artery;
• into the abdominal cavity;
• into the spinal fluid.

Despite the high chances of curing cancer with chemotherapy, it is necessary to take into account a number of negative consequences that arise from its use. The negative consequences of chemotherapy are due to the fact that during its administration, the patient’s healthy, fast-growing cells are also damaged. With proper treatment, most of them are subsequently restored. The most common negative consequences of chemotherapy include:

• anemia;
• blood clotting disorder;
• nausea and vomiting;
• hair loss;
• problems with skin and nails;
• various infectious complications.

Before prescribing such treatment, the oncologist conducts full examination the patient’s body and tries to prevent its most harmful consequences.

Features of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the effect of ionizing radiation on the patient's tumor cells. Strong radiation, precisely aimed at the location of the tumor, leads to mutation and death of cancer cells.

The patient is carefully prepared before the procedure, the location and size of the malignant tumor is accurately determined. Treatment is carried out using special devices with radiation sources. To avoid severe effects It is important to minimize the risk of this effect on healthy cells from the procedure. The usual course of exposure is 3-4 sessions over a certain period of time. It should be noted that irradiation in large doses is life-threatening, so the treatment regimen should be drawn up by an experienced oncologist, taking into account individual approach to every patient.

Radiation therapy may have the following main side effects:

• nausea and vomiting;
• loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• soreness;
• hearing impairment;
• skin burns;
• damage to internal organs and tissues.

The effectiveness of treatment of cancer patients is significantly increased when chemotherapy is combined with radiation exposure to a malignant tumor. This treatment is called combined radiation chemotherapy. The serious consequences of chemotherapy and radiation treatment of affected tissues do not allow the use of specified methods treatment for all cancer patients.

Thus, chemotherapy and radiation, despite numerous side effects, are considered one of the most effective methods treatment of cancer patients.

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Key differences between radiation and chemotherapy

The choice of treatment tactics for a malignant neoplasm identified in a person is the priority of radiation and chemotherapy; it is recommended to entrust it to a highly qualified specialist. Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. What is the difference and which method will be best can be clarified with your doctor during a consultation.

What is chemotherapy?

Targeted impact on the focus of mutated cells in the patient’s body through the introduction of special medications - chemotherapy.

This method of getting rid of the cancer process implies the following goals:

• maximum suppression of the activity of cancer elements;
• formation of the necessary conditions for further surgical excision of the lesion;
• postoperative suppression of unresolved mutated cells.

The mechanism of the therapeutic effect of medications - chemistry - on the tissues and organs of a cancer patient is quite simple. It is carried out at the molecular level - the intracellular structure itself is destroyed, the active growth of mutated elements is suppressed.

For maximum effectiveness, specialists prescribe combinations of various antitumor medications. In addition, medications that help improve immune barriers may be recommended.

A highly qualified specialist selects the optimal treatment regimen based on many factors - the nature of the malignant neoplasm, the patient’s age category, and his susceptibility to chemotherapy.

There are various methods of delivery to the outbreak:

• pills;
• applying ointments;
• ampoules;
• using catheters;
• introduction into the abdominal cavity;
• intralumbar.

Chemotherapy significantly increases the chances of survival of cancer patients, but its use is associated with various negative consequences. After all, when it is used, damage occurs to healthy cells of the human body. With the correct selection of methods for administering chemotherapy, most of the damaged structures will subsequently recover.

What is radiation therapy

The effect of ionizing radiation on a tumor is called radiation therapy by specialists. Targeted irradiation of the projection of the focus of cancer cells leads to their reverse development and death.

Modern diagnostic methods help determine the exact location and size of the tumor. The patient is carefully prepared for each treatment procedure. Modern devices with directed radiation help to avoid serious consequences.

The course, as a rule, consists of 3-4 sessions, the duration of each is determined by an oncologist.

There are also undesirable effects of radiation therapy, for example, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and disruption of the functioning of certain organs. However, the expected benefit allows patients to experience discomfort and reduce it to a minimum.

This method of getting rid of the cancer process can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other methods, for example, chemotherapy. The timing also varies:

• in order to optimally reduce the size of the tumor focus - before surgery;
• for maximum destruction of possible remaining cancer cells - after excision of the main focus;
• with a significant prevalence and neglect of the pathology - in order to reduce negative symptoms.

After completing the courses of radiation therapy, the side effects that arose during its implementation, as a rule, disappear on their own.

Carrying out chemotherapy

The administration of drugs to suppress the growth of mutated cells can be carried out in various ways. The most popular, of course, is the oral method of delivering drugs to the tumor site. However, experts emphasize that the negativity of this method is very high.

Chemical components entering the bloodstream have a systemic effect on all tissues and organs.

The second method of delivering antitumor drugs is intravenous administration. It allows chemical compounds to reach the malignant site faster, in a practically unchanged state. The negative aspects are similar to those described above - oppression of neighboring tissues and organs, the formation of anemia, cachexia, hair loss.

In some cases, it is possible to carry out chemotherapy with chemotherapy by directly introducing them into a malignant formation.

In contrast to the above methods, the concentration of chemical components in the required area is much higher. This helps to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

In the absence of contraindications, the optimal and simplest method of combating cancer is to take chemotherapy drugs in tablet or ampoule form - the patient does not need to visit a medical facility every day. It is enough just to complete the course on your own, with a certain frequency of visiting a specialist and passing the necessary tests.

Chemotherapy is considered more effective if the administration of medications that can suppress the activity of mutation processes in cells is carried out by injection. However, this is simply impossible to do at home; mandatory supervision by medical workers is required.

Carrying out radiation therapy

External targeted radiation exposure, carried out using special equipment, is radiation therapy. The principle of its therapeutic effect is the targeted irradiation of a part of the patient’s body that is motionless.

The device is adjusted by a specialist to a certain dose of radiation.

The standard course of radiation therapy is 4–5 procedures with a break of 2–10 weeks. Each session can last from 10 to 30 minutes. The duration and frequency of irradiation will directly depend on the nature of the malignant neoplasm and the type of cell mutation.

Breaks between irradiation sessions are required to restore the activity of healthy cellular structures. Cancerous elements should not have time to multiply, since they are more susceptible to radiation.

Much less often, a specialist may prescribe only a single exposure to radiation therapy, for example, to weaken pain impulses or other unpleasant manifestations of the oncological process.

To avoid receiving excessive doses of radiation by the tissues surrounding the lesion, the person is fixed to the table surface. In this case, the device rotates around the person, according to the irradiation program entered into it - the desired area of ​​the patient’s body is exposed from different angles.

In this case, the tumor focus will receive the maximum dose of radiation, and the surrounding tissues will receive the minimum. If a person suddenly feels worse during the procedure, he can contact a specialist via intercom. In addition, monitoring of the vital parameters of a cancer patient is mandatory.

Main differences

Each of the above methods of combating the tumor process has its positive and negative sides. It is recommended to entrust the choice of optimal treatment for the disease to a highly qualified specialist.

The main distinguishing features of chemotherapy and radiation therapy include:

1. The need to introduce various substances toxic to the human body is a feature of chemotherapy.
2. Treatment of a tumor lesion with ionizing radiation is the prerogative of radiation exposure: the procedure requires special equipment.
3. Chemotherapy is more effective in the early stages of detecting cell mutations - when the focus is single, there is no damage to distant organs.
4. In the case of exposure to a directed beam of radiation, the process of destruction and subsequent death of cancerous elements begins: in this case, neighboring areas necessarily suffer, and colloidal tissue grows.
5. Radiation can be used as an independent method of suppressing cancer activity - it has been proven effective before surgery to excise a tumor focus.

The main goal of any treatment tactics for malignant neoplasms is to maximally suppress the activity of cancer cells. Therefore, most often, a specialist recommends a combination of chemotherapy and radiation exposure.

Radiation therapy is prescribed, as a rule, in the initial stages of the disease, when the tumor foci are clearly localized. In advanced cases, when metastases have occurred, it is necessary to influence not “locally”, but the entire body. Then only “chemistry” remains. Mother's medical history.

Radiation therapy is also prescribed after surgery as a safety net. But the consequences, the so-called side effects, are quite severe. My mother, for example, had a burn to her esophagus after breast irradiation. Only all this is restored and you have to be patient in order to finish off the disease.

And many sick people were saved by these terrible procedures, which kill not only sick, but also healthy cells.

It is clear that radiation therapy is a therapy with a clearly targeted effect, that is, on a specific area. But sometimes, even with clear localization, radiation therapy can cause more harm than chemotherapy, since when it is used, vital organs can be affected. The doctor decides everything!

The doctor prescribed only chemotherapy for my father, because there were metastases in different organs. Radiation exposure simply could not cope with such a volume of work.

© 2016–2018 – Oncology portal “Pro-Cancer.ru”

Described methods of diagnosis, treatment, traditional medicine recipes, etc. It is not recommended to use it yourself. Be sure to consult a specialist so as not to harm your health!

Radiation and chemotherapy

For cancerous tumors in the human body, a drug treatment approach is used. This approach is called chemotherapy because chemicals are used to treat the tumor.

Oncologists use a large number of drugs to treat cancer, all of which are called chemotherapy.

A striking example of this is the implementation of immune or hormonal therapy. The thing is that when using these methods in the treatment, special cytotoxic drugs are used.

The peculiarity of chemotherapy is that these drugs selectively act on the human body, and their properties are aimed at suppressing the primary and secondary foci of the spread of the disease.

Things you need to know about chemotherapy:

• The peculiarity of chemotherapy is that it helps to suppress the development of mutated cells and the tumor as a whole. In the treatment of cancerous tumors, chemotherapy is widely used in modern medicine; these procedures quantitatively reduce cancer cells and prevent tumor growth.
• In addition to the therapeutic effect, the impact of chemotherapy is aimed at obtaining information to create new drugs in the fight against cancer. Conducted research helps doctors discover mechanisms that effectively reduce tumor size and reduce the number of cancer cells.

Types of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy that affects cancer tumors and cells;

Chemotherapy to help cure infectious diseases.

The question: “Which method of therapy is more effective?” will be very difficult to answer, since their characteristics are radically different in the process of influencing the patient’s body.

In the field of oncology, doctors classify chemotherapy as a separate method of treating cancer tumors. Because of this, experts believe that such drugs should be classified as a separate group of drugs that fight tumors.

How is chemotherapy different from radiation therapy?

Doctors use several treatment methods to fight cancerous tumors.

These include:

• surgical intervention;
• chemotherapy;
• radiation therapy;

At different stages, the doctor may prescribe any of the treatment methods or a combination of them.

When using the chemotherapy treatment method, the patient is prescribed the use of special chemotherapy drugs.

It is prescribed to reduce the number of cancer cells after surgical removal of a tumor or radiation therapy. This treatment method does not exclude harmful effects on healthy human tissues and cells.

The essence of radiation therapy is that a malignant tumor is treated with ionizing radiation. For this purpose, special fluxes of protons, electrons and neutrons are used.

When treated with chemotherapy, a distinction is made between hormonal drugs and antitumor drugs. Their difference is quite obvious. Hormonal drugs have a less weak effect on the tumor itself.

Hormonal chemotherapy drugs are used for malignant breast formation, and in other cases it is customary to use antitumor chemicals. Chemotherapy has a strong effect when used in the early stages of tumor development.

This does not mean that there is no point in using this treatment method at stages 3 or 4 of cancer, just that chemotherapy drugs will not have such a strong effect. For some types of cancer in the later stages of tumor development, chemotherapy is used as a way to alleviate the patient's condition or reduce his pain symptoms.

Radiation therapy treatment

When treating a cancer tumor using radiation therapy, the patient's body undergoes a process of destruction and complete death of the affected cancer cells. This process accompanies the proliferation of connective tissue. Therefore, a noticeable scar appears in the place where the tumor was.

Depending on individual characteristics, as well as the stage of the tumor, doctors may prescribe radiation therapy as the only treatment method or combine it with chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy is often given before surgery to remove the cancer. When the process of active metastasis has begun in the human body, radiation therapy is a mandatory procedure.

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and prevents them from appearing again.

The purpose of this procedure in the postoperative period is preventive, because After removal of the tumor, small foci of cancer remain, which can contribute to the development of the disease, and radiation will get rid of this.

Efficacy of chemotherapy

Cancer diseases are common throughout the world. There are as many types of cancer as there are organs in the human body.

Therefore, it is not always possible to use surgery and the only way to treat the tumor is chemotherapy.

The problem is that chemotherapy alone is not always enough to completely cure cancer.

Effectively fighting cancer involves combining treatments. Various procedures are suitable for this, ranging from chemotherapy to the use of traditional methods of treatment.

To get rid of hard-to-reach tumors, different types of chemotherapy are used: red chemotherapy (the most toxic); yellow chemotherapy (less toxic compared to the previous one); blue and white chemotherapy.

By increasing the dose of chemotherapy, significant progress is possible in the treatment of a malignant tumor and the destruction of cancer cells.

There is a high risk of harmful effects on healthy cells and on the human body, respectively.

It is important to understand that the doctor can prescribe an increase in the dose of chemotherapy only if the tumor is large and surgery is impossible.

The doctor takes a big risk by prescribing an increase in dose. However, in difficult cases this cannot be avoided. The tumor will grow, and cancer cells will multiply and spread throughout the body, affecting other organs of the human body and creating new foci of the disease.

It is now impossible to say which method is effective in treating cancer. Oncologists prescribe procedures based on the individual characteristics of the person and the course of the disease as a whole.

In some cases, the use of a surgical method is simply impossible, and in this situation everything possible must be done to preserve human life. Combining treatments is the right way to cure cancer.

Complications of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, methods of preventing and combating them: recommendations from doctors

Based on materials from the magazine "Together Against Cancer" and http://www. netoncology. ru

Practice shows that when using modern chemotherapy regimens, patients can lose 1-2 kg of weight, which, with proper nutrition, is restored during the break between courses of treatment. Loss of appetite usually begins on the day of the procedure and continues for several days thereafter. In these cases, it is necessary to eat as much as possible between courses, when your health improves. If you feel hungry, you should eat, even if it is not time to eat.

Loss of appetite is not the only side effect of chemotherapy. Treatment with many anticancer drugs is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

There are a large number of antiemetic drugs available to prevent vomiting. In addition to numerous medications, nausea can be reduced by following these recommendations:

2. Before breakfast, suck on a piece of ice, a slice of frozen lemon, tkemali sour plum, cherry plum or several cranberries and lingonberries.

3. Eat dry foods on an empty stomach: crackers, crackers, toast, cookies, etc.

4. Eat small meals throughout the day so that your stomach does not feel full.

5. Avoid foods that have a specific taste, and do not eat foods with a strong smell.

6. Do not eat fried, especially fatty foods, milk sauces, whole milk (these dishes can be reintroduced into the diet when the nausea passes).

7. Don't eat too sweet foods.

8. Do not eat excessively salty, spicy and hot foods.

9. Eat chilled food: meat, cottage cheese, fruit. Nausea can be reduced by acidic foods (lemons, cranberries, pickles), pickles and tomatoes, as well as popsicles.

10. Avoid drinking liquids during meals to prevent your stomach from filling with liquid. Drink more between meals. Take liquid at least one hour before meals. Drink cold, unsweetened drinks.

11. Eat food slowly so that a large amount of food does not enter the stomach at the same time; Chew food thoroughly.

12. Avoid eating immediately before drug administration.

Cells in the gastrointestinal tract are highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of some chemotherapy drugs. Damage to these cells leads to frequent and loose stools – diarrhea (diarrhea).

Another unpleasant consequence of the use of some anticancer drugs is stomatitis - damage to the oral mucosa, leading to its inflammation, and in severe forms to painful ulcers and infection.

1. Avoid irritation of the oral cavity with alcohol, spicy foods, hot and sour foods, dry foods and salty foods, as well as vegetables and fruits with a high acid content (tomatoes, grapefruits, lemons, sour apples, plums, etc.).

2. Rinse your mouth with a soda solution (1/2 teaspoon of soda per glass of water), saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water), as well as infusion of chamomile, sage, oak bark, St. John's wort.

Constipation occurs quite rarely as a result of taking chemotherapy drugs.

You should avoid spicy foods, as well as products containing tannins (strong tea, cocoa, decoctions and jelly from blueberries, pears, quince).

Alopecia (baldness) is a fairly common side effect of chemotherapy. Hair loss occurs because the anti-cancer drug not only kills tumor cells, but also damages healthy tissue, including hair follicles.

Use mild shampoos.

Wash your hair with warm, but not hot water.

Brush your hair with a soft brush.

Do not over-dry your hair with a hairdryer.

Do not use curlers or curling irons to style your hair.

Don't get a perm.

Protect your scalp from hypothermia and direct sunlight.

For many, especially women, hair loss is a real tragedy. But we must remember that in most cases, after completion of chemotherapy, the hairline is completely restored. Sometimes, however, hair grows back a different color or texture.

The therapeutic effect when using anticancer drugs is accompanied by various side effects, which patients need to know about in order to determine the moment of their appearance, be able to prevent or treat with the help of special medications, as well as diet and lifestyle.

During chemotherapy, it is advisable to increase the amount of fluid by consuming vegetable, fruit and berry juices. The feasibility of this increases significantly when treated with platinum drugs. Carrot, beet, tomato, raspberry and lingonberry juices are especially useful.

Alcoholic drinks excluded during a course of chemotherapy.

If the liver is damaged, it is recommended to exclude fried, spicy and salty foods from the diet. You should avoid fatty meats and fish, marinades, sausages, ham, mushrooms and foods rich in cholesterol (brains, egg yolks, fish and mushroom soups, broths). During an exacerbation period, turnips, radishes, rhubarb, onions, beans, and peas are not recommended.

If kidney function is impaired, a low-protein diet with a sharply limited amount of salt is prescribed. Recommended: dairy dishes, including cheeses and curd spreads, vegetable, eggplant and squash caviar, cooked without hot spices, ghee and vegetable butter. First courses include borscht, beetroot soup, vegetable, fruit and cereal soups without hot spices and with a small amount of salt.

Complications of radiation therapy occur quite often, mainly in patients undergoing long courses of treatment with high total radiation doses. However, in most cases they are moderate in nature and do not interfere with the implementation of a full-fledged treatment complex. Some complications may develop after the end of the course of radiation, since its effect may continue to be realized in the tissues even after discharge from the hospital.

Here you will find information about the most common side effects, methods for preventing and combating them.

Nausea is a common complication of radiation therapy to the abdominal area. Some patients note that nausea bothers them less if they go to radiation therapy on an empty stomach. Others say that eating a small amount before radiation reduces the feeling of nausea. Nausea may be relieved by eating 2 hours after exposure. If the problem is not resolved, ask your doctor to prescribe you antiemetic medications. If you have been prescribed them, take them about an hour before radiation, or as advised by your doctor, even if you think you no longer need them.

If your stomach upset begins just before any treatment, nausea may be a result of anxiety and thoughts about cancer treatment. Try eating some cookies with some apple juice. This will also help you feel calm before the procedure begins. Reading a book, writing a letter, or doing a crossword puzzle will help you relax.

Why is this happening?

Nausea and vomiting may occur after radiation to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and brain. The risk of these side effects depends on the dose of radiation, the area of ​​radiation, and whether chemotherapy is given.

How long do these symptoms last?

Nausea and vomiting may appear 30 minutes to several hours after the end of the RT session. You will likely feel better on days when there is no radiation exposure.

How to cope with nausea and vomiting?

Preventing nausea. The best way to prevent vomiting is to prevent nausea. One way is to eat gentle foods and drinks that do not cause stomach upset.

Try to relax before your RT session. The feeling of nausea may be less if you relax. You can read a book, listen to music, etc.

Plan your meal times. Some people feel better if they eat before their RT session, some don't. Determine the best time. For example, you may need to eat a snack 2 hours before your session. Or is it easier for you to tolerate radiation therapy if the radiation is carried out on an empty stomach (do not eat 2-3 hours before the session).

Eat small meals 5-6 times a day rather than large meals 3 times a day.

Eat warm foods (not cold or hot).

Talk to your doctor and nurse. The doctor may recommend a special diet or prescribe a drug to suppress nausea. You can learn about acupuncture.

Diarrhea is frequent, loose or loose stools. May appear at any time during radiation therapy.

Why does diarrhea occur?

Irradiation of the pelvis, stomach, and abdomen can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs due to radiation damage to normal cells of the small and large intestines.

How to deal with diarrhea?

When did the diarrhea start:

Drink 8-12 cups of fluid per day. Drinks with high sugar content should be diluted with water.

Eat more often and in small portions. For example, it is better to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day than to eat 3 meals a day and eat more.

Eat easily digestible foods (foods low in fiber, fat and lactose).

Take care of the anal area. Use baby wipes or a bidet instead of toilet paper. Tell your doctor if inflammation or anything like that occurs in the anal area.

Continue a low-fat, low-lactose, and low-fiber diet for 2 weeks after finishing radiation therapy. Gradually introduce new foods into your diet. You can start with small portions of low-fiber foods, such as rice, bananas, apple juice, mashed potatoes, low-fat cheese, and bread.

Make sure your diet includes plenty of foods high in potassium (bananas, potatoes, peaches), an important mineral lost during diarrhea.

o Milk and dairy products (ice cream, sour cream, cheese)

o Foods and drinks with caffeine (coffee, black tea and chocolate)

o Foods or liquids that cause gas (legumes, cabbage, broccoli, soy products)

o High fiber foods (raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, cereal and grain products)

o Fried and fatty foods

o Fast food establishments

Talk to your doctor and nurse. Tell them if diarrhea occurs. They will tell you what to do and may prescribe medications such as Imodium®.

If you are scheduled for radiation to any area of ​​the pelvis, you may experience digestive problems. The bladder may also be irritated, which may cause discomfort or frequent urination. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce this discomfort. Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks. Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications to treat these problems (eg, palin, 5-NOK, etc.).

The effects of radiation therapy on sexual and reproductive function depend on which organs are in the radiation area. Some more common side effects go away when treatment ends. Others may exist for a long time or remain forever. Before starting treatment, ask your doctor about possible side effects and how long they will last.

Depending on the dose of radiation, women receiving radiation therapy to the pelvis may stop menstruating; You may also experience other menopausal symptoms, such as itching, burning, and vaginal dryness. You must report these symptoms to your doctor so treatment can begin.

Effect on fertility

Scientists are still studying how radiation therapy affects fertility. If you are a woman of childbearing age, it is important to discuss birth control and fertility issues with your doctor. You should not become pregnant during radiation therapy because... This treatment during pregnancy can damage the fetus, especially in the first 3 months. If you become pregnant before starting radiation therapy, tell your doctor so that the fetus can be protected from radiation if possible.

Radiation therapy to the area including the testicles can reduce both sperm count and fertility. However, this does not mean that fertilization cannot occur. Ask your doctor about effective contraception during radiation therapy. If you have any concerns about your fertility, discuss them with your doctor. For example, if you want to have children, you may be concerned about decreased fertility after your treatment ends. Your doctor can help you provide information about donating sperm to a sperm bank before starting treatment.

The methods used in the KM PAF System for the treatment of infertility will help you overcome the effects of radiation therapy on sexual and reproductive functions (in the absence of contraindications, and also if these effects have not become irreversible).

Fatigue is a common side effect and it is very likely that the patient will feel some degree of fatigue during radiotherapy.

Why does fatigue occur?

How long does fatigue last?

When you first feel tired depends on various factors, including: on age, health, lifestyle.

Fatigue may last from 6 weeks to 12 months after completion of RT.

How to cope with fatigue?

Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. To sleep better at night, you should be more active during the day. For example, you can go for walks, ride a bike, or run. Also, to sleep better, you can try to relax before bed, for example, read a book or listen to calm music.

Take time to relax. You may need to take a nap during the day. Try not to sleep more than 1 hour.

Don't try to do too much. With fatigue, you may not have as much energy to do anything. Stay active, but don't overdo it.

Physical exercise. Most people get better with a little exercise every day. Take a minute's walk or stretch. Discuss this with your doctor.

Develop a work schedule that is convenient for you. Fatigue can affect the amount of energy needed to perform work. You may not need to change your work schedule, but may need to work less.

Plan an LT plan that is convenient for you. You may want to tailor your LT plan to fit your work or family needs.

Let others help you at home. Ask family members, relatives, friends, or inquire about the insurance company's services.

Ask others with cancer. People with cancer can help each other by sharing tips for coping. Ask your doctor if there are support groups or societies.

Talk to your doctor and nurse. If you find it difficult to cope with fatigue, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce it. Your doctor may also prescribe additional treatments for anemia, insomnia, or depressive disorders.

The most famous and recognized program in oncology for improving psychological status is the Simonton oncopsychotherapeutic program; other methods of psychosomatic correction can also provide invaluable assistance to you. They help activate the self-healing potential of the body and psyche, significantly increase the effectiveness of combating the disease, significantly reduce the side effects accompanying clinical treatment, relieve stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia, and promote personal growth and self-improvement. One of the unique features of the programs offered is the ability to complete the entire health course at home at a time convenient for you. They will help you solve your most pressing problems and take a fresh look at life. You can get acquainted with the above-mentioned programs and apply them in practice by turning to the “Psychosomatic correction” section.

And we should always remember that the fundamental principle in confronting any human ailment is his constant, sincere, deep and purposeful moral work on himself, leading to his spiritual self-improvement and healing. You can familiarize yourself with an example of healing spiritual practice for the entire period of counteracting the disease by referring to the section “Healing Spiritual Practice.”

Why does hair loss occur?

RT can cause hair loss because... damages cells in the hair roots.

Hair loss occurs only in the area that is irradiated, unlike chemotherapy, when all the hair falls out.

How long does hair loss last?

Hair loss in the treated area may begin 2-3 weeks after the first RT session. Hair in the irradiated area will fall out in about a week. Hair may grow back 3-6 months after completion of RT. If the radiation dose was high, the hair may not grow.

When hair grows back, it may be different in structure and color.

How to deal with scalp hair loss?

• Determine whether you will cut or shave the hair on your head. This will help you better control your hair loss.
• If you are planning to buy a wig, buy it while you still have hair. The best time to buy a wig is before the start of LT or right at the beginning. That. The wig will match the color and structure of the hair. Choose a wig that is comfortable.
• Wash your hair carefully. Use a mild shampoo (like baby shampoo). Do not dry your hair harshly with a towel.
• Do not use curling devices, hair ties, gels, sprays, hair sprays or mousses. They can damage the skin or cause hair to fall out earlier.

After hair loss:

• Protect your skin. After hair loss, your skin may become more sensitive. Use a hat/cap/cap/scarf. Try to avoid places with very high or low temperatures.
• Stay warm. Hair warms the skin, so after hair loss you may feel cold. Wear hats.
• Hair loss occurs only at the site of irradiation.

What can happen?

Radiation to the head and neck can cause the following problems:

Ulcers and sores in the mouth

Dry mouth (xerostomia) and throat

Loss of taste sensitivity

Taste changes (metallic taste when eating)

Infections of the gums, teeth or tongue

Changes in the temporal joint and bones

Radiation kills cancer cells and damages normal ones in the salivary glands and oral mucosa.

Some symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, may go away after treatment is completed. Some (such as changes in taste) can persist for months or even years. Some may remain permanently (dry mouth).

Visit your dentist at least 2 weeks before having radiation to your head or neck.

If you are scheduled for radiation to the head or neck, see your dentist at least 2 weeks before you begin radiation to the head or neck. The dentist will examine the oral cavity and teeth and may provide the necessary treatment. If it is not possible to see a dentist before starting RT, ask your doctor if you should see a dentist after starting RT.

Examine your mouth every day. That. You will detect problems (ulcers, white plaque, infection) as early as possible.

Keep your mouth moist.

o Drink water often

o Suck on sugar-free candies

o Chew sugar-free gum

o Use a saliva substitute

o Ask your doctor to prescribe medications to increase saliva

Brush your teeth, gums and tongue after every meal and before bed.

o Use the softest toothbrush. To make the bristles even softer, rinse them with warm water before brushing your teeth.

o Use fluoride toothpastes.

o Use a special fluoride gel.

o Do not use mouth rinses that contain alcohol.

o Floss carefully every day. Do not treat only areas that are bleeding or painful.

o Rinse your mouth every 1-2 hours with a solution: a quarter teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water.

o If you have dentures, make sure they fit well. If you lose weight, you may need to have new dentures made.

o Clean and rinse your dentures every day.

Pay attention to what you eat when mouth ulcers appear.

o Choose foods that are easy to chew and swallow.

o Take a small bite, chew slowly and drink liquid.

o Eat moist, soft foods.

o Avoid eating too hot or cold food.

Avoid anything that can damage your mouth, such as:

o Hard, crunchy foods (chips, nuts, crackers)

o Fruits and juices with high acid content (tomatoes, citrus fruits)

o Toothpicks and other sharp objects

o All tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco)

Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar. These foods can damage your teeth.

Stretch your temple joint 3 times a day.

Exercise your chewing muscles. Open and close your mouth 20 times. Do this 3 times a day.

Medications. Ask your doctor about medications that protect the salivary glands and oral mucosa.

Tell your doctor if your mouth hurts. There are drugs and gels that cope with pain.

You will need to take extra care of your oral health throughout your life. Ask your dentist how often you will need to visit him and how best to care for your mouth after treatment is completed.

Avoid tobacco products and alcohol while receiving radiation to the head and neck.

Radiation may affect the skin in the area being irradiated.

Redness. The skin in the irradiation area feels slightly burned.

Itching. The itching can be so severe that some people scratch their skin vigorously. This can lead to skin damage and infection.

Dryness and flaking of the skin.

Diaper rash. During irradiation, the skin peels off faster, which can lead to wounds and ulcers. The skin in the fold area may become scaly.

Radiation kills skin cells. When irradiated every day, the cells do not have time to renew and grow.

Skin changes may begin several weeks after RT. Many disappear after the end of RT. But even after the end of RT, these changes may remain. Irradiated skin may appear darker or appear mottled. There may be dry skin. Sensitivity to the sun may change. There will always be a risk of developing skin cancer in irradiated areas. It is necessary to protect the skin from sunlight (long sleeves, hats, use creams with a protection factor of at least 30).

Skin care. Take extra care of your skin during RT. Do not scrub or itch the skin. Use creams recommended by your doctor.

Do not apply hot or cold heating pads to the irradiated area. Rinse with warm water.

Be careful when showering or bathing. You can take a warm shower every day. If you prefer a bath, do not stay more than half an hour. Use mild soap.

Don't wash away your LT marks!

Use only those skin care products that your doctor recommends. If you use skin care products, tell your doctor before starting RT.

Check with your doctor about using these medications before using them:

o bath foam

o corn starch

o hair removal products

o sunscreen

If you use any products on radiation days, use them at least 4 hours before the start of the session.

Cool damp places. These conditions are good for the skin. Humidify the air in the room (with a spray bottle).

Soft fabrics. Wear clothes and sleep on soft fabric bedding.

Do not wear tight or non-breathable clothing (such as belts and tights).

Protect your skin from the sun every day. The sun can burn your skin even on cloudy days. Don't go to the beach. Wear hats and long sleeves. Ask your doctor if sunscreen (SPF 30) is needed. These rules must be followed even after completion of RT, because There is an increased risk of developing skin cancer throughout life after RT.

Don't go to the solarium. Solarium has the same harmful effect as the sun's rays.

Plasters. Do not use patches in the area being treated.

Shaving. Ask your doctor if you can shave the area being treated. It is better to use an electric razor and not apply products before shaving.

Anal area. Skin problems may also occur in the anal area. It is better to use baby wipes or a bidet.

Talk to your doctor and nurse. Some skin problems can be serious. Be sure to tell your doctor about any skin problems if they develop.

Medications. The drugs can eliminate skin problems. Lotions for dry skin, antibiotics for infections and other medications, for example, to relieve itching.

Irradiation of the neck and chest can cause inflammation in the esophagus - esophagitis. There may be a burning sensation in the chest and difficulty swallowing food.

Irradiation of the neck and chest leads not only to the destruction of cancer cells, but also damage to healthy ones, which is why inflammation occurs. The risk of such side effects depends on the radiation dose, the presence of chemotherapy, and the consumption of tobacco products and alcohol during RT.

Typically, changes in the throat begin 2-3 weeks after the start of RT. You will likely feel better within 4-6 weeks of completing RT.

Be careful about the food you eat when your throat becomes inflamed.

o Eat foods that are easy to swallow.

o Cut and chop food to make it easier to swallow.

o Consume moist, soft foods.

o Drink cool drinks.

o Drink in small sips.

o Eat warm food.

Eat small meals.

Choose foods with high energy value and high protein content. When it hurts to swallow, a person begins to eat less and therefore may lose weight. It is important to maintain the same weight throughout the RT.

Sit up straight and tilt your head slightly forward when eating and drinking. Remain in an upright position for 30 minutes after eating.

Avoid foods that may hurt your throat:

o Hot food and drinks

o Foods and juices with a high acid content (tomatoes, citrus fruits)

o Hard, crunchy foods (chips, crackers)

o Tobacco products, alcohol

Talk to a nutritionist. He will tell you how to maintain weight and choose the best products.

Talk to your doctor and nurse.

Tell your doctor if you experience throat problems, pain, or weight loss. The doctor can advise the necessary medications.

Let your doctor know if:

Difficulty swallowing

Cough while eating

LT can cause the following problems:

Burning or pain while urinating or after

Difficulty starting to urinate

Difficulty emptying the bladder

Cystitis – inflammation of the bladder

Urinary incontinence (especially when coughing and sneezing)

Urge to urinate at night

Bladder spasms

Radiation damages healthy cells in the kidneys and bladder, which can lead to inflammation, infection and ulcers.

Urinary tract disorders usually begin 3-5 weeks after the start of RT. Basically, all problems go away within 2-8 weeks after completion of treatment.

Drink plenty of fluids. This means 6-8 cups per day. Try to keep your urine color slightly yellow.

And avoid coffee, black tea, alcohol, spices and all tobacco products.

Talk to your doctor if you think you have problems with your urinary tract.

Your doctor may take a urine test to check for infection.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection. Other medications will help improve urination, reduce pain and eliminate bladder spasms.

Tell your doctor if urinary incontinence occurs. Your doctor may recommend bladder exercises.

During the course of radiation therapy, specific dietary recommendations are prescribed only if there is a possibility that areas of the intestine may enter the irradiation field, i.e. with radiation therapy to the abdomen and pelvis.

Long courses of radiation therapy can provoke the development of enteritis, i.e. inflammation of the intestine, which is mainly manifested by aching pain in the abdominal area, the appearance of frequent loose stools. To limit the traumatic and irritating effect of the food bolus on the intestines, it is recommended to limit the consumption of “rough” food - bran, fruits, vegetables, etc. - during radiation therapy.

Taking drugs from the group of eubiotics to restore normal intestinal microflora can have a positive effect.

In addition, it is necessary to follow general dietary recommendations and avoid drinking alcohol. It should be remembered that the effects of radiation therapy can last for a month after the end of the course of treatment. Dieting is also indicated during this period.

1. Daily consumption of plant foods (fruits and vegetables).

2. Limiting the consumption of spicy, salty and fatty foods.

3. Limiting the consumption of red meat (most nutritionists agree on the need to reduce its consumption to 2 times a week).

The fact that excessive consumption of fatty foods and red meat is associated with an increased risk of developing certain cancers has been known for quite some time from the results of large population studies. However, only recently have scientists discovered a mechanism that may be key to this pattern of carcinogenesis.

Excessive consumption of fatty foods causes in response excessive secretion of insulin, the main hormone that regulates metabolism and the concentration of glucose in the blood. In parallel with the increase in insulin levels, the concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a biologically active substance that in high concentrations can stimulate malignant cell degeneration, also increases through indirect mechanisms. According to molecular studies, IGF receptors are found in the majority of colon and rectal tumors diagnosed at early stages.

The most important component of dietary nutrition are supplementation programs. You can find information about their components in the sections “Personal wellness” and “Cellular health”.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two cancer treatments that destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Although both chemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective treatments for cancer, they are used in different situations and have different side effects. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer that has spread throughout the body, using drugs injected into the bloodstream, while radiation therapy targets tumors located in specific areas of the body. Both methods, or only one of them, may be used to treat the same cancer cases, depending on the type of cancer and the stage of its development.

For example, treating a localized tumor in prostate cancer may require only radiation therapy, while treating leukemia may require chemotherapy alone. However, to destroy a tumor that has metastasized, it may be necessary to use both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that affect cells as their DNA replicates.

Cancer cells replicate faster than healthy cells, so destroying cells that are in the process of replicating is one way to kill cancer cells while damaging as few healthy cells as possible. Chemotherapy is often given in cycles using various drugs, as this allows you to destroy the maximum number of cancer cells, while at the same time giving healthy tissue a chance to recover from exposure to drugs. Chemotherapy side effects result from the drugs used inadvertently destroying healthy cells, particularly bone marrow cells that make white and red blood cells; cells in the stomach and intestines; and hair follicles. When these cells are damaged, a weakened immune system, anemia, nausea, vomiting and hair loss can occur.

Radiation therapy is a therapy that uses x-rays, gamma rays and radioactive particles to target localized tumors.

These therapies often use machines that direct high-frequency radioactive waves at tumors or involve small amounts of radioactive substances injected near cancer cells. Once radiation is inside these cells, it forms free radicals that damage or directly change the DNA structure of the cells; one way or another, if the DNA is damaged enough, the replication process is disrupted and the cells die. Radiation therapy damages healthy cells near tumors, especially those that divide rapidly. Side effects from radiation therapy typically include skin irritation and scarring. Hair loss and problems with the urinary system or stomach are also possible, depending on the location of treatment. Long-term side effects may include fibrosis, amnesia, and fertility problems.

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Cancer is the most unpleasant prognosis that a doctor can offer. There is still no medicine that guarantees a cure for this disease. The insidiousness of cancer is that it affects almost all known organs. In addition, cancer can spread its “tentacles” even into the body of domestic animals. Is there a way to fight this enemy? Radiation therapy in oncology is considered one of the most effective methods. But the point is that many refuse this prospect.

Let's go through the basics

What do we know about cancer? This disease is almost incurable. Moreover, the incidence is growing every year. The French are most often affected by the disease, which is explained by the aging population, since the disease often affects older people.

In essence, cancer is a disease of cells, during which they begin to continuously divide, forming new pathologies. By the way, cancer cells do not die, but simply transform into a new stage. This is the most dangerous moment. Our body a priori has a certain supply of cancer cells, but they can grow quantitatively due to external factors, such as bad habits, abuse of fatty foods, stress or even heredity.

However, the tumor that is formed by these cells can be benign if it grows outside the organ. In such a situation, it can be cut out and thereby eliminate the problem. But if the tumor grows on the bone or it has grown through healthy tissue, then cutting it out is almost impossible. In any case, if the tumor is removed surgically, then radiation therapy is inevitable. This method is quite common in oncology. But more and more sick people are abandoning this practice due to fear of radiation exposure.

Types of treatment

If there is a disease, then it is worth considering the main methods of treatment. These include surgical removal of the tumor. By the way, it is always removed with a reserve to eliminate the risk of possible tumor growth into healthy tissue. In particular, for breast cancer, the entire gland is removed along with the axillary and subclavian lymph nodes. If a certain part of the cancer cells is missed, the growth of metastases accelerates and chemotherapy is required, which is an effective method against rapidly dividing cells. Radiotherapy, which kills malignant cells, is also in use. In addition, cryo- and photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy are used to help the immune system fight the tumor. If the tumor is detected at an advanced stage, then a combination treatment or the use of narcotic drugs that relieve pain and depression may be prescribed.

Indications

So, when is radiation therapy needed in oncology? When talking with a sick person, the most important thing is to rationally explain the need for this method of treatment and clearly formulate the goal that you want to achieve in this way. If the tumor is malignant, then radiation therapy in oncology is used as the main method of treatment or in combination with surgery. The doctor expects the treatment to reduce the size of the tumor, temporarily stop growth, and relieve pain. For two thirds of cancer cases, radiation therapy is used in oncology. The consequences of this method are expressed in increased sensitivity of the diseased area. For some types of tumors, radiation therapy is more preferable than surgery, as it is less traumatic and has the best cosmetic result in open areas.

For epithelial tumors, combined radiation and surgical treatment is indicated, with radiation being the primary treatment, as it helps to shrink the tumor and suppress its growth. If the operation was not effective enough, then postoperative radiation is indicated.

For forms with distant metastases, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is indicated.

Contraindications

When is radiation therapy clearly inappropriate in oncology? The consequences are not the most pleasant if there is lymphopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, as well as any diseases accompanied by high temperature and febrile state. If the chest is to be irradiated, the risk factor will be cardiovascular or respiratory failure, as well as pneumonia.

Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery is indicated for those people who have excellent health of the central nervous system and genitourinary system. They should not suffer from acute diseases, have pustules, allergic rashes or inflammations on the skin. There are also conditions, for example, anemia cannot be considered a contraindication if the bleeding is coming from a tumor. After all, after the first sessions of therapy, bleeding may stop.

Unexpected risk

Radiation therapy in oncology after surgery may be an unjustified risk if the patient's medical history contains a record of a tuberculosis process. The fact is that irradiation makes it likely that a dormant infection will worsen from latent foci. But at the same time, closed forms of tuberculosis will not be considered a contraindication, although they will require drug treatment during radiation therapy.

Accordingly, exacerbation will be possible under the condition of an existing inflammatory process, purulent foci, bacterial or viral infections.

Based on all of the above, it can be revealed that the use of radiation therapy is determined by specific circumstances based on a set of arguments. In particular, the criteria will be the expected time frame for the manifestation of results and the likely life expectancy of the patient.

Specific Goals

Tumor tissue is very sensitive to radioactive radiation. That is why radiation therapy has become widespread. Oncology treatment with radiation therapy is carried out with the aim of damaging cancer cells and their subsequent death. The impact is carried out on both the primary tumor and the isolated metastases. The goal may also be to limit aggressive cell growth with the possible transfer of the tumor to an operable state. Also, to prevent the occurrence of metastases in cells, radiation therapy in oncology may be recommended. The consequences, reviews and mood of sick people differ polarly, since, in essence, it involves irradiating the body in order to destroy damaged cells. How will this affect your health? Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict with accuracy, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Types of therapy

With an eye to the properties and sources of the radiation beam, various types of radiation therapy in oncology are distinguished. These are alpha, beta, gamma therapies, as well as neutron, pi-meson and proton. There is also X-ray and electron therapy. For each type of cancer, radiation exposure has a unique effect, since the cells behave differently depending on the extent of the damage and the severity of the disease. With equal success, you can count on a complete cure or absolutely zero result.

When choosing the method of irradiation, the location of the tumor plays an important role, since it may be located near vital organs or blood vessels. Internal irradiation occurs when a radioactive substance is placed into the body through the digestive tract, bronchi, bladder or vagina. The substance can also be injected into blood vessels or through contact during surgery.

But external radiation comes through the skin. It can be general or focused on a specific area. The source of exposure can be radioactive chemicals or special medical equipment. If external and internal irradiation is performed simultaneously, it is called combined radiotherapy. Based on the distance between the skin and the beam source, remote, close-focus and contact irradiation is distinguished.

Algorithm of actions

But how is radiation therapy done for oncology? Treatment begins with histological confirmation of the presence of a tumor. Already on the basis of this document, tissue affiliation, localization and clinical stage are established. The radiologist, based on these data, calculates the radiation dose and the number of sessions required for treatment. All calculations can now be done automatically, since there are appropriate computer programs. Available data also help determine whether radiation therapy should be given in combination with or without other modalities. If the treatment is combined, then irradiation can be carried out both before and after surgery. According to the standard, the duration of the course of radiation before surgery should be no more than three weeks. During this time, radiation therapy can significantly reduce the size of the tumor. In oncology, reviews of this method are very polar, since the effect remains unpredictable. It also happens that the body literally repels radiation or accepts it with healthy cells rather than diseased ones.

If radiation therapy is carried out after surgery, it can last from a month to two.

Side effects of the procedure

After starting a course of treatment, a sick person may experience weakness and chronic fatigue. His appetite decreases and his mood worsens. Accordingly, he can lose a lot of weight. Changes can be observed in tests - the number of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes in the blood decreases. In some cases, the site of contact with the beam may become swollen and inflamed. This can cause ulcers to form.

Until recently, irradiation was carried out without taking into account the fact that healthy cells could also fall into the action zone. However, science is moving forward and intraoperative radiation therapy has appeared in breast oncology. The essence of the technique is that the irradiation process can be started at the surgical stage, that is, after excision, the beam can be directed to the intervention site. Promptness in this matter allows us to minimize the likelihood of residual tumor, as it is neutralized.

With a breast tumor, a woman always has the risk that she will have to part with her breasts. This prospect is often even more frightening than a fatal disease. And breast restoration through the intervention of plastic surgeons is too expensive for the average woman. Therefore, women turn to radiation therapy as a means of salvation, since it can allow them to limit themselves to excision of the tumor itself, rather than removing the gland completely. Places of possible germination will be treated with rays.

The effect of radiation therapy directly depends on the patient’s health, his mood, existing side diseases and the depth of penetration of radiological rays. Often the effects of radiation appear in those patients who have undergone a long course of treatment. Minor pain can manifest itself for a long time - this is the affected muscle tissue reminding itself.

The main problem of women

According to statistics, radiation therapy in uterine oncology is the most common treatment method. This pathology occurs in older women. It must be said that the uterus is a multi-layered organ, and cancer affects the walls, spreading to other organs and tissues. In recent years, uterine cancer has also occurred among young women, which doctors often explain by early onset of sexual activity and carelessness regarding contraception. If you “catch” the disease at an early stage, then it can be cured completely, but in the late period it will not be possible to achieve complete remission, but following the recommendations of the oncologist, you can prolong a person’s life.

Treatment for uterine cancer is based on surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A bonus is hormonal treatment, a special diet and immunotherapy. If the cancer is actively progressing, then excision is not the right method. Better results can be achieved through irradiation. The procedure is prohibited in case of anemia, radiation sickness, multiple metastases and other ailments.

Radiotherapeutic techniques may vary in the distance between the source and the affected area. Contact radiotherapy is the mildest, since it involves internal exposure: a catheter is inserted into the vagina. Healthy tissues are practically not affected. In this case, can the cancer suffered be harmless? After radiation therapy, after removal of the uterus and other unpleasant procedures, the woman is weak and vulnerable, so she absolutely needs to reconsider her lifestyle and diet.

The uterus is removed if the tumor has grown greatly and affected the entire organ. Alas, in this situation, the possibility of further procreation is called into question. But this is not the time to regret, since such radical measures will extend the life of a sick woman. Now you need to reduce intoxication, which is done by drinking plenty of fluids, eating plant foods and vitamin complexes with the lion's share of antioxidants. Protein foods should be introduced into the diet gradually, focusing on fish, chicken or rabbit meat. Bad habits should be eliminated once and for all, and preventive visits to an oncologist should be made a rule.

It is worth including foods that have anti-cancer effects in your diet. These include potatoes, cabbage in all varieties, onions, herbs and various spices. You can focus on dishes made from cereals or whole grains. Soybeans, asparagus and peas are held in high esteem. Beans, beets, carrots and fresh fruits are also useful. It is still better to replace meat with fish and eat low-fat fermented milk products more often. But all alcoholic drinks, strong tea, smoked and salty foods, and marinades are prohibited. We'll have to say goodbye to chocolate, processed foods and fast food.