Lung Cancer Treatment With Radiation
Lung cancer occurs due to cells that grow abnormally and turn into tumors. If tumors develop, your lungs will begin to have difficulty sending oxygen throughout your body. The cells grow abnormally as the result of genetic mutations. They are considered to be in a precancerous stage if they function as normal cells. However, as they split, their DNA mutations are passed along. The new cells carry the same genetic irregularities and also pass them along when they split. As the mutations become more pronounced with each subsequent generation, the cells cease to perform their normal job. At that point, they are cancerous.
Radiation is often used to treat this type of cancer (the therapy is called radiotherapy). It is not always effective and can potentially carry side effects. Below, we’ll describe how radiation is administered and explain how radiotherapy works. We’ll also take a closer look at the most common side effects.
Administration of Therapy
There are two paths available to administer radiotherapy: internal and external. Radiation can be delivered internally (often called brachytherapy or implant therapy) by injecting radioisotopes into the affected area. An oncologist can use needles or catheters to direct the radioisotopes to the tumor.
External radiotherapy makes use of machines that can emit powerful rays into the affected area. The machines are placed near the patient so the radiation can be sent directly to the tumor site. A high level of precision can be calibrated into the machines in order to prevent the energy rays from damaging too much healthy tissue. However, even given its precision and the protective shields donned by the patient, a small amount of healthy tissue will normally suffer damage.
The Lung Cancer treatment can require up to a few months with the individual sessions spaced out evenly over that time. The reason is due to the potency of the radiation; the amount of energy required in order to destroy the cancerous cells is too high to be delivered in one session.
Possible Side Effects
Every patient is different and therefore, will experience varying side effects. Many patients’ bodies are surprisingly resilient during radiotherapy while others seem especially vulnerable to the energy. Oncologists recommend resting as much as possible between sessions because most people will feel some level of fatigue. Hair loss near the affected area is also common.
Patients often report post-radiotherapy nausea which can often be treated with medications. Alternatively, a doctor might suggest eating smaller meals more frequently in order to help reduce the nausea. Another side effect is inflammation on the skin near the affected site. Drying and peeling are common, and oncologists recommend keeping the area protected from direct sunlight for twelve months following treatment.
Though lung cancer is deadly, it can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed before the cancerous cells metastasize. Radiation is one of several treatment options. If you are suffering from lung cancer, speak with your doctor to determine whether radiation is an appropriate form of treatment, given your circumstances.
