2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
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"
Recommended:
Radiation Sickness - Causes And Symptoms, Degrees And Forms Of Radiation Sickness, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention
Degrees, causes and symptoms of radiation sicknessContent:Radiation sickness symptomsForms of radiation sicknessThe degree of radiation sicknessDiagnosis of radiation sicknessTreatment of radiation sicknessPrevention of radiation sicknessDefinition of radiation sicknessRadiation sickness is a disease, the occurrence of which occurs as a result of exposure to the human body of radiation of an ionizing type
Immunotherapy For Lung Cancer: Methods Of Its Implementation. How Is Immunotherapy For Lung Cancer
Lung cancer immunotherapyOncological studies of the lungs have shown that cancer cells have a very small amount of antigens that could be affected by immunotherapy. However, the results of the same experiments prove that immunotherapy for lung cancer can be an effective treatment for the disease
Large Cell Lung Cancer: Symptoms And Prognosis. How To Treat Large Cell Lung Cancer
Large cell lung cancerThe WHO classification classifies large cell lung cancer as undifferentiated, squamous and glandular. But this does not make it easier for people with such a diagnosis, a malignant formation leads to death at an earlier date
Peripheral Lung Cancer: Symptoms And Treatment. Peripheral Cancer Of The Lobe Of The Lung: How To Treat
Peripheral lung cancerLung cancer is a general, collective concept, it means a malignant tumor of epithelial origin. These neoplasms differ in the following parameters:Histological structure;Clinical course;Reason and place of origin;Methods and results of treatment
Lung Cancer In Children - Signs And Symptoms. How To Treat Lung Cancer In Children
Lung cancer in childrenA malignant tumor of epithelial origin, developing in the bronchi and respiratory tract, is a very dangerous disease. In an adult, this is a big trouble, but when lung cancer affects children, it is a tragedy. This is a rare disease, but it is still common