Radiation therapy for lung cancer
One of the main methods of combating malignant neoplasms is the treatment of lung cancer with radiation therapy. The advantages of this method are its effectiveness and safety.
Content:
- Radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer
- Consequences of radiation therapy for lung cancer
- Types of radiotherapy
Operating principle
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is based on the use of high-energy radiation to fight cancer. This. is now a common technique used by radiation oncologists to completely get rid of the disease, relieve pain and symptoms caused by a neoplasm.
Irradiation of a cancerous tumor disrupts the reproductive functions of cells, that is, they do not multiply.
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by interfering with the structure of their DNA, resulting in an inability to grow and multiply. Today, radiotherapy is an effective method of dealing with neoplasms.
The sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation is explained by:
- Division rate (faster than healthy cells);
- Failure to repair damage.
Radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer
Radiotherapy for this type of disease is the most used method of fighting a tumor, both as an independent method and simultaneously with chemotherapy.
In cancer clinics, this treatment is used before or after surgery. Radiation therapy may be given after chemotherapy to prevent brain metastases.
The effects of radiation therapy in combination with other methods can fight small cell cancer, but it has side effects.
Consequences of radiation therapy for lung cancer
Side effects of radiation therapy are considered to be expected and disappear after a while. Here are some of the consequences after the course:
- Chest pain;
- General tiredness;
- Cough with phlegm;
- After 15-20 days after exposure - heartburn, difficulty swallowing.
- Hair loss is possible.
All the consequences of treating small cell cancer with radiotherapy will soon disappear. But if after a certain period of time they still bother the patient, an oncologist's consultation is needed.
Types of radiotherapy
For radiation treatment of lung cancer, the following main types are usually used:
- Remote (outdoor). In this case, the radiation source is located at a small distance from the patient, and the rays are projected to the proposed location of the tumor;
- Internal radiotherapy. The radiation source is in contact with a cancerous tumor;
- Systemic radiotherapy. It implies irradiation of the whole body and is used when there is a suspicion of an associated cancer of the blood.
Until now, there is disagreement about the effectiveness of radiation therapy for lung cancer. However, US scientists have come to the conclusion that radiotherapy can significantly reduce the number of unwanted effects of chemotherapy for lung cancer and the number of deaths in the treatment of small cell cancer.
The author of the article: Bykov Evgeny Pavlovich | Oncologist, surgeon
Education: graduated from residency at the Russian Scientific Oncological Center. N. N. Blokhin "and received a diploma in the specialty" Oncologist"
