Radiation therapy also called radiotherapy

Radiation therapy also called radiotherapy , x-ray therapy or irradiation is the use of a cartain types of energy to kill cancer cell and shrink tumors.

1. PRESENTED BY :– MR. RAJESH KUMAR BSC. NURSING 3RD YEAR RIMS COLLEGE OF NURSING RAIPUR (C.G.)

2. INTRODUCTION Radiation therapy also called radiotherapy , x-ray therapy or irradiation is the use of a cartain types of energy to kill cancer cell and shrink tumors. The aim of radiotherapy is cure cancer , where possible or to damage as many cancer cell as possible while limiting harm to nearby healthy tissue. Radiotherapy is the principal treatment for various skin cancer. Cancers of mouth, nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx, brain tumors and many gynecological , lung cancer and prostate cancer.

3. DEFINITION The use of high energy radiation from x-ray gamma rays , neutrons ,protons and other sources of kill cancer cell and shrink tumors. (According to WHO) Radiation therapy use of lonizing in the management of neoplasms of the body without surgery. (According P.K.Panwar )

4. INCIDENCE  About 30% to 50% of all cancer patients receive irradiation either alone or with chemotherapy and surgery. Therefore, around 7 million patients receive radiotherapy worldwide every year. 14 Aug 2023. In India, there are 5,000 radiation oncologists for an approximate annual incidence of 1.4 million new cases. 12 Aug 2022 .

5. INDICATION Radiation therapy most often is used to treat tumors that can't be removed surgically. Eg :- Brain tumors, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer etc.

6. Radiation Therapy Alone RT alone is used in the treatment of localized tumors, such as early-stage cancer of the larynx or prostate; non-melanoma skin cancer; head and neck cancers.

7. Concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy The use of concurrent chemotherapy and RT has been shown to significantly improve tumor eradication and survival in a number of cancers. It may improve local control, 5 result in organ preservation, and eradicate distant microscopic metastases. This combination therapy has proven beneficial in treating cancers of the lung, cervix, head and neck, vulva, and anal canal

8. Radiation Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment RT is commonly used as adjuvant treatment following surgery, especially in case of incomplete resection Postoperative radiation is commonly used in cancers of the head and neck, rectum, breast, and lung, as well as soft tissue sarcomas.

9. RT is also used after chemotherapy as the mainstay of treatment when chemotherapy alone was not expected to result in cure, such as locally advanced breast cancer or bladder cancer, or as adjuvant treatment to potentially curative chemotherapy, such as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

10. Radiation Therapy in Metastatic Disease RT is beneficial in providing palliation to patients with metastatic disease. It is highly effective in controlling bleeding and pain, as well as the symptoms resulting from compression of the nerves, spinal cord, or airways. The use of RT for pain relief is particularly valuable; a single dose of moderate intensity (8-10 Gy ) achieves significant pain relief in 60 percent to 80 percent of patients.

11. Duration of radiotherapy Expect each session to last about 10 to 30 minutes . Most of that time is spent getting your body in the right position. During treatmen

12. A. Proton beam therapy Proton beam therapy is a type of radiation therapy. A treatment that used high power energy to treat cancer and some non cancerous tumors. Radiation therapy using x- Ray has long been used to treat there condition.

13. B. Neutron bean therapy The neutron bean therapy is a specialized and very powerful from of external beem radiation therapy. It is often used to treat certain that are  radioresistant

14. C. Stereotactic radiotherapy It is used to treat tumors in the lungs, spine, liver lymph nodes or other soft tissue

15. 2. INTERNAL RADIATION THERAPY Places radioactive material into tumors or surrounding tissue. Also called brachytherapy brachy - Greek for “short distance”. Radiation sources placed close to the so large doses can hit the cancer cell.

16. RADIATION ONCOLOGY TEAM Radiation oncologist: This doctor is specially trained to treat cancer with radiation. This person is in charge of your radiation treatment plan. Radiation physicist: This is the person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and that it gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist. Dosimetrist : Supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment. Radiation therapist or radiation therapy technologist: This person operates the radiation equipment and positions you for each treatment. Radiation therapy nurse: This nurse has special training in cancer treatment and can give you information about radiation treatment and managing side effects. You may also need the services of a dietitian,physical therapist, medical or clinical social worker, dentist or dental oncologist

17. consent for radiation therapy Before treatment, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form. This form gives the doctor permission to treat you with radiation and do the tests that are needed to plan your treatment. The details of the consent form can vary, but it usually says that your doctor has explained to you how radiation therapy may benefit you, the possible risks, the type of radiation to be used, and your other treatment options. By signing the form, you’re saying that you’ve gotten this information, you understand it, and you’re willing to be treated with radiation.

18. Before signing the consent form ● Your diagnosis ● The type of radiation treatment the doctor plans to use ● Your other treatment options ● How the treatment will be given and how long it will last ● Whether you’ll need tattoos or permanent markings for treatment ● The goal and potential benefits of the treatment The possible side effects, including when they usually show up and how long they last ● When to call your cancer care team ● The possible outcomes if you refuse treatment

19. Process The process refers to all the steps from the decision to treat a patient with radiation to the completion of the course of radiation treatment. • Prescription: The first step is completion of the radiation prescription, which indicates the exact part of the body to be treated; as well as the dose/fractionation schedule, including the total radiation dose to be delivered in how many fractions, at what intervals, and in what overall time period.

20. • Planning: The second step is initiation of the planning process. Patients are positioned on an x-ray imaging machine that simulates the geometry of treatment machine, or in more modern settings on a specially adapted CT 7 scanner (CT-simulator). A desired position is determined (supine, prone, arms up or by the side of the body) • Treatment Plan: Once the set-up and imaging is complete, the radiation oncologist outlines the tissues that must be irradiated on images and a radiation technologist/ dosimetrist or a medical physicist develops the treatment plan, using specialized planning software that models the placement of radiation

21. • Treatment delivery: Once the treatment plan is developed by medical physicist and dosimetrist and reviewed and approved by a radiation oncologist, the treatment can begin. In each session, Treatments are frequently given five days per week; in curative settings, they may continue for four to six weeks. Daily treatments are commonly delivered during a session lasting 10-20 minutes.

22. Facilities RT is delivered in a specially designed facility that contains specialized equipment for imaging, treatment planning, and radiation delivery. Modern RT departments are designed to optimize patient flow through the process and contain the following elements:- • Waiting area • Examination rooms • Imaging suites with simulators/CT-simulators • Computer planning workrooms • Shielded treatment rooms • Shielded high dose rate brachytherapy suites.

23. SIDE Effects Of RADIATION THERAPY Part of the body being treated :- Possible side effects :- BRAIN :- 1. Fatigue 2. Hair loss 3. Nausea and vomiting 4. Skin change 5. Headache 6. Blurry vision

24. B. Breast :- Fatigue 2. Skin change 3. Swelling (edema) 4. Tenderness

25. C. Chest:- Fatigue 2. Hair loss 3. Skin change 4. Throat change 5. Cough 6. Shortness of breath

26. D. Head and neck Fatigue 2. Hair loss 3. Mouth change 4. Skin change 5. Taste change 6. Throat swallowing 7. Loss active thyroid gland

27. E. Pelvis &Rectum Diarrhea 2. Fatigue 3. Hair loss 4. Nausea and vomiting 5. Sexual problems 6. Fertility problem 7. Skin change 8. Urinary and bladder change

28. F. Stomach and abdomen 1. Diarrhea 2. Fatigue 3. Hair loss 4. Nausea and vomiting 5. Skin change 6. Urinary and bladder change