Treatment of Cancer with Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is also known as radiotherapy. It is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. This therapy is used to treat different types of cancer. A radiation oncologist specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. Many different forms of cancer can be treated with radiation treatment, which can also be used with chemotherapy or surgery. With the help of this therapy, cancer cells stop growing and are destroyed. There are basically two types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. In this article, you will learn about how radiation therapy helps treat cancer.
How does radiation therapy help treat cancer?
Cancer develops in the body when healthy cells undergo changes and if there is uncontrolled growth of the cells. The cancer cells grow, divide, and multiply faster than normal cells. Radiation therapy damages the DNA of the cancer cells and stops them from growing and getting destroyed. Radiation therapy affects only the target area of the body, where the cancer cells are located, and not the whole body. During the treatment, some of the healthy cells also get damaged, but they heal when the treatment is completed. This therapy does not immediately kill cancer cells. This treatment takes weeks to kill cancer cells, and the cancer cells keep dying for months after the radiation therapy is completed.
The radiation therapy is given to the cancer patients according to the type of cancer they have or how much it has spread. This radiation therapy can be given along with other different treatments to treat cancer. This therapy depends on many factors, such as the type of cancer, size of the tumor, location of the tumor, closeness of the tumor to the other normal tissues, your medical history, your age, etc.
Types of radiation therapy:
- External Beam Radiation Therapy:
In external-beam radiation therapy, radiation is delivered from a machine outside the body. This machine sends radiation to the target area of the body from different directions. The therapy affects the tumor and avoids the surrounding healthy tissues, which are located nearby. This therapy is given to patients for several weeks. External therapy is of different types, such as:
- Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT)
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
- Proton beam therapy.
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT).
- Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT).
- Internal Radiation Therapy:
Internal radiation therapy is also known as brachytherapy. In this radiation therapy, radioactive materials like seeds, ribbons, or capsules are kept in the cancer cells or the surrounding tissue. This is the permanent implant.
In systemic radiation therapy, this type of radiation therapy can be given through a vein via an IV line or through an injection. After this therapy, your body fluids give off radiation via urine, saliva, and sweat.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
The majority of cancer patients receive radiation therapy over a number of sessions, and they do not get the full dose at once. So, during sessions, your tissues get time to recover, which reduces side effects. However, patients report vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, headaches, skin irritation, hair loss, mouth sores, decreased appetite, and pain in the throat when swallowing.
Radiation therapy helps treat cancer in the body. But like other treatments, this therapy also causes side effects such as skin changes, discomfort, etc. There is a risk of developing a second cancer after undergoing this therapy. In the majority of cases, radiation therapy removes the existing cancer.
What Things Should You Know About Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid, which is a butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the neck. It makes hormones that help control the body’s temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and blood flow. In the beginning, this cancer did not show any symptoms or causes. But when it grows slowly, it is very dangerous. Small thyroid cancer can be diagnosed through CT and MRI scans, and it can be cured with treatment. The thyroid cancer treatment is available in the cancer hospital. Treatment options for thyroid cancer are surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and radioiodine therapy. In this blog, you will learn about the symptoms and treatment options for thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms:
The symptoms of thyroid cancer include the following:
- If there are changes in your voice and an increase in hoarseness.
- When patients find pain in their throat and neck.
- In case the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen.
- Consult your doctor if you are constantly tired or experiencing nausea and vomiting.
- Finding a loss of appetite and unexpected weight loss.
- Finding difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer:
Generally, the risk factors for thyroid cancer are low iodine intake, obesity, an enlarged thyroid, if you have a family history of thyroid cancer or thyroiditis, if there is exposure to radioactive rays from nuclear weapons, gene mutations, which also cause endocrine diseases, and if you have had radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Thyroid Cancer Types:
The different types of cancer cells include:
- Papillary thyroid cancer
This type of thyroid cancer is also known as differentiated thyroid cancer. It can happen at any age, but it most commonly affects people between the ages of 30 and 50.This type of cancer is small, and it spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck. But it is curable and rarely fatal.
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer:
Follicular thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that affects people who are older than 50 years. It generally occurs in people who don’t get enough iodine in their diet. Generally, this cancer does not spread to lymph nodes, but it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
This aggressive type of thyroid cancer grows quickly and is very hard to treat. It affects people over the age of 60 and causes severe symptoms such as neck swelling as well as difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Medullary thyroid cancer
This type of cancer basically occurs in people who have a family history of thyroid disease. Genetic mutation is the major cause of this disease. It generally begins in the group of thyroid cells known as C cells. The C-cells produce calcitonin, and this hormone helps to control the level of calcium in the blood at an early stage.
Treatment Options for Thyroid Cancer:
The treatments for thyroid cancer include:
- Radioiodine Therapy:
In this therapy, the doctor gives the patient a pill or liquid to swallow that contains a higher dose of radioactive iodine. This radioiodine will destroy the thyroid cancer cells, and the thyroid gland will absorb all the radioiodine. This therapy is completely safe for the patient.
- Radiation Therapy:
In this therapy, a machine is used in external radiation therapy to deliver energy beams to the tumor spot. And placing the radioactive seeds in or around the tumor is known as “internal radiation therapy.” This radiation not only prevents cancer cell growth but also kills them.
- Chemotherapy:
In chemotherapy, intravenous or oral chemotherapy medicines helps to stop cancer growth as well as kill cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy:
In this therapy, it blocks the release of hormones therapy that are causing cancer to spread in the body.
- Surgery:
In the surgery, the surgeon will either remove part of your thyroid gland or the entire gland. This treatment is determined by the size and location of the tumor.
The thyroid cancer is fully curable, and the treatment stops the cancer cells from growing and spreading in different parts of the body. If the treatment does not cure thyroid cancer, it will prevent the cancer cells from spreading.
How to Cure Childhood Cancer?
With the advancement of technology, about 80% of childhood cancers can be cured globally. In high-income countries, as resources become available, childhood cancer can be cured. But the percentage is low in India because of a lack of awareness. The reasons for lower survival rates in low-income countries are a delay in diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, an inaccurate diagnosis, if the patient leaves treatment in between, and death from side effects.
For kids and teenagers, cancer is the main cause of death. Generally, the most common types of cancer in children are leukemia, lymphomas, brain tumors, and solid tumors. In most cases, screening cannot detect or prevent childhood cancer. By using generic medications and other cancer treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant, childhood cancers can be cured. Most importantly, pediatric cancer can be treated in any socioeconomic setting. In this blog, you will learn the method for curing childhood cancer.
The warning signs of cancer in children:
- If there is blindness, a bulging eyeball, a white spot in the child’s eye, a new squint, etc. are some of the few warning signs of cancer.
- In case a lump is found in the abdomen and pelvis, limbs, testes, glands, head, and neck.
- Loss of weight and appetite are seen in children.
- If your child has a high fever, pale skin, fatigue, easy bruising, or excessive bleeding, seek medical attention immediately.
- If there is a change in behavior, balance, headaches, or an enlarging head, consult your doctor.
- Patient is having pain in her bones, joints, and back.
The Causes of Cancer in Children:
Normally, there is no known cause for childhood cancers. Cancer can affect any region of the body and affect people of all ages. It starts when there is a genetic change in the single cells. Then it grows into a tumor and affects other parts of the body. If the treatment is not given, it leads to death.
Adults are more likely to develop cancer if they have an unhealthy diet, such as smoking or eating unhealthy foods. But the children do not have any unhealthy habits that increase their risk of cancer. If the child has a family history of cancer, then it will increase the risk of having cancer.
But childhood cancers are caused by a DNA mutation that is not inherited but occurs randomly. There are very few cancers in children that are caused by lifestyle or environmental factors.
HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, and malaria are some of the chronic diseases that increase the risk of developing childhood cancer. In low-income countries, this is very important. Hence, it is very necessary to get vaccinated, as other infections can increase the risk of cancer.
Effective Cancer Prevention Strategy for Children:
Normally, it is not possible to prevent childhood cancer in children, but it is possible to reduce cancer in children. With early diagnosis, correct treatment, and palliative care, you can cure cancer in children. Early diagnosis of cancer improves the survival rate of many children suffering from cancer. If cancer is identified early, then it will respond to treatment, the patient will suffer less, and the treatment will be less expensive.
If the child gets an early diagnosis, then appropriate therapies are available for the patient, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. As all children suffering from cancer cannot be cured, palliative care should be given to those who suffer from cancer.
Two of the most commonly experienced side effects of chemotherapy are loss of appetite and change in the experience of the taste of food. Loss of appetite may appear as feeling less hungry or feeling satiated after eating a very small portion of food. Some cancer treatments may also lead to a change in taste.
One can experience lack of hunger because of nausea, oral pain that may make it difficult to ingest food, or medication that causes loss of taste. Sometimes, feelings of fatigue and depression can also add to the problem. In a few cases however, treatments can result in an increase of appetite and weight gain. As long as one subscribes to a healthy balance of the list of recommended foods below, weight loss and gain are immaterial and expected.
How long does it last?
There is no standard timeline. The feeling can extend from a day to couple of weeks or months. But worry not! Our experts recommend the following strategies to navigate a healthy and nutritious diet through your cancer treatment journey.
Why is diet important during chemotherapy?
It is vital to eat well before, during and after chemotherapy, even if one lacks an appetite. The cleaner you eat, the faster the healing will prevail. Foods rich in protein, vitamins and carbohydrates are necessary. These will ensure that infection is fought against in the body and tissue repair is sustained.
Suggestions to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle during chemotherapy
It is understandable that you may lose your morale and feel unmotivated to eat clean or eat at all. Following are some shortcuts you can integrate into your life to ensure you don’t lose out on those essential nutrients!
- Small meals instead of large ones: A large meal can give a feeling of fullness and exacerbate nausea. Instead, it is recommended that instead of 3 large meals, one breaks their dietary intake into six small snacks every two to three hours.
- Enrich your environment: Our surroundings impact our appetite. To combat its loss, we can eat socially with loved ones, as research shows one eats more in the company of another. If that option is not available, you can change the room of eating from time to time and watch a favorite movie while dining.
- Try different cuisines, garnishing and seasoning: If food begins to smell or taste bad, try different cuisines, instant mixes and flavorful seasonings such as vinegar, oregano, rosemary, thyme etc. If you keep your taste palette busy, colorful and diverse, chemo can become a less stressful experience.
- Schedule dining time: In order to eat even in the absence of an appetite, keep fixed meal and snack timings and an alarm clock as a reminder.
- Supplements and vitamins : Check with your doctor on essential supplements and vitamins that can help increase appetite and give you the much needed energy boost.
Do’s
Avocado, soups, oatmeal and smoothies can be added to compensate for lack of appetite. You can also keep your favorite snacks handy. Bread and crackers are an excellent choice as they are high on calories. Lentils and pulses can help keep your protein index high, along with cooked eggs.
Don’ts
In some cases, chemotherapy suppresses our immune system, by the way of reducing white blood cell production. This means it is important to avoid certain foods until our immune system is back to its full strength.
Raw foods or undercooked foods can cause stress on the system and thus should be avoided. Raw seafood and milk should be avoided for the same reason. Certain variet6y of cheese such as blue cheese or brie can cause more stress to the immune system so should be skipped. Acidic and spicy foods can cause irritation so should be avoided too.
How chemotherapy work
Chemotherapy is using medication (drugs) to eliminate cancer cells and it works by stopping the cancer cells from growing, dividing, and multiplying into more cells. As cancer cells usually grow and divide faster than normal cells, chemotherapy has a greater effect on cancer cells. However, the drugs used in chemotherapy are strong, and can cause damage to healthy cells. This can cause side effects. If you’re considering chemotherapy or wish to know what the best doctors for cancer in Delhi would advise you, read on.
Types of chemotherapy
Treatment through powerful drugs is standard chemotherapy, also called traditional chemotherapy, or cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Doctors use chemotherapy in differently for different times. These can be:
- Before surgery or radiation therapy to reduce tumours, called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- After surgery or radiation therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells, called adjuvant chemotherapy.
- As the treatment itself. For example, treating cancers of the blood or lymphatic system, like leukaemia and lymphoma.
- For recurrent cancer that comedy back after treatment.
- For metastatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
The Aim of chemotherapy for how it work
The aim of chemotherapy will depend on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. At times, the goal is simply to get rid of the cancer and stop it from coming back. If this isn’t possible, you can get chemotherapy to delay or slow down cancer growth.
Delaying or slowing cancer growth with chemotherapy also helps manage the symptoms caused by the cancer. Chemotherapy with the goal of delaying cancer growth is also called palliative chemotherapy.
Choosing a chemotherapy plan
There are widely available drugs for treating cancer and a medical oncologist, will prescribe your chemotherapy. You could either receive a combination of drugs, as this may work better than just one drug.
The drugs, dose, and treatment schedule depend on many factors like the type of cancer, size of the tumour, location, and if or where it has spread to. This will determine the “stage” the cancer has reached. Other factors like age and health, body weight, other medical conditions and prior cancer treatment, if any.
How long does it take?
Chemotherapy is given for a certain projected time, say a few months or a year, and some people receive chemotherapy as long as it works.
The side effects from some of the drugs are too severe to be given every days so they are usually give with breaks, so patients have time to rest and recover in between treatment which lets healthy cells heal.
For example, dose of chemotherapy may be given on the first day and then 3 weeks before repeating the treatment. Each 3-week period is called a treatment cycle and many cycles make up the course of chemotherapy, a course will usually last about three months.
Some cancers can be treated with less recovery time between cycles, called a dose-dense schedule. This can make chemotherapy more effective against some cancers but it increases the risk of side effects. Talk with Delhi’s best doctors for cancer treatment at Oncoplus about the best schedule for you