How does the procedure work?
How long do you have to stay in the hospital?
Can you still work while in therapy?
Will you loose your hair?What is the procedure for radiation therapy?
i just got done with 6 weeks radiation.first you go in and they mark you ,, they call it tattoo..then they lay you down on the table and give you radiation on your next appointment ..you don't stay in the hospital.... you can still work and do your normal things if you feel like it...some people loose there hair some loose weight...What is the procedure for radiation therapy?
Prior to Procedure -You will go through a process called simulation. This process takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. During simulation, you will:
Lie on an exam table while a radiation therapist uses an x-ray machine to define the exact place(s) where radiation will be directed. The therapist may mark the exact radiation area with colored ink. You will probably also have a small tatoo (or several) placed on your skin as a permanent mark to help with the aiming of the radiation beam.
Depending on the type of treatment required, you may also undergo:
CT scan 鈥?a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body
Measurement for immobilization devices to help you stay still during treatment
Description of the Procedure - The radiation therapist positions you on the treatment table or chair. Then the therapist leaves the room and enters a control room, where he or she controls the movements of the radiation machine (called a linear accelerator) to deliver radiation to the predetermined areas on your body. The most common sources of the radiation are x-rays, electron beams, and cobalt-60 gamma rays.
You will need to remain extremely still during the treatment, which lasts from 1 鈥?5 minutes. The therapist can see you through a television screen, and you can talk with the therapist if you feel uncomfortable or sick.
After Procedure -You are free to leave and resume your normal activities. You are not radioactive after your treatment and you are not a threat to anyone else around you, in terms of radiation exposure.
How Long Will It Take? The actual treatment takes only a few minutes, but you should allow at least 30 minutes for each session. Most treatments last from 2 to 8 weeks, and are given once a day, five days per week. In some cases you may be treated twice daily or only three times a week, and this will depend on various factors. Discuss the logistics of the actual scheduling with your radiation oncologist.
Possible Complications:
External radiation does not cause your body to become radioactive. You may, however, experience side effects. These effects will vary depending on the type and location of cancer treatment. Common side effects of radiation include, but are not limited, to:
General
Fatigue
Skin changes (redness, irritation)
Reduced white blood cell count
Head
Hair loss
Breast
Dryness or itchiness of the breasts
Breast or nipple soreness
Fluid buildup
Tanning in irradiated area
Mouth, Stomach, or Intestine
Appetite loss
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Mouth ulcers
Difficulty swallowing
Pelvic Region
Bladder irritation
Vaginal itching, burning, dryness, or menstrual cessation
Reduction of sexual desire
Possible loss of fertility
Average Hospital Stay 鈥?None; external radiation is typically done on an outpatient basis.What is the procedure for radiation therapy?
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