Radiation is a special type of energy carried by waves or particles. It can be produced by special devices or released by substances called radioactive.
Special devices are needed to direct radiation to the diseased organ. Using high doses of radiation energy for treatment purposes in this way is called "radiotherapy" or "radiation therapy".
High doses of radiation can kill cells or prevent them from dividing and multiplying. Normal cells can also be affected by radiation treatment, but since cancer cells divide and multiply much faster than normal cells, radiotherapy is more effective on cancer cells than normal cells. In addition, it is much easier and faster for normal cells to recover and recover than cancer cells.
In the stage called "planning", doctors make the necessary drawings to ensure that diseased tissues are exposed to the most radiation and normal tissues are exposed to the least radiation.
When and Where is Radiotherapy Used?
Radiotherapy is used in many types of cancer in almost every part of the body. More than half of cancer patients receive radiotherapy in addition to treatments such as surgery and drug therapy.
In some types of cancer, radiotherapy is the only treatment method. Radiotherapy is sometimes given before surgery to shrink the tumor. In some tumors, it is applied to cleanse cancer cells that may remain after surgery. There are also methods in which radiotherapy is applied during surgery. There may also be cancer types where radiotherapy and chemotherapy are applied directly without surgery.
A Quick Appointment
What changes are recommended to a patient diagnosed with cancer? It is the natural right to know the first treatment options. For this purpose, a first examination appointment is made by the Radiation Oncologist. This appointment is the first meeting to determine whether you need radiotherapy and to discuss the details of the treatment, possible side effects and precautions to be taken against these effects if you decide to receive radiotherapy. If you wish, you can bring your relatives with you to this meeting.
Preparation Session
Before starting the treatment, a preparation session is held with computerized planning tomography.
The aim is to personalize the treatment and to determine the irradiation technique that should be chosen according to the type and extent of the cancer.
This preparation is. Details about the session and the treatment itself (especially the frequency and duration of the sessions) will be informed to you during the first examination.
First of all, your lying position inside the device is determined during the radiotherapy sessions, and then a computerized tomography is taken in this position.
By making the treatment plan with computed tomography, the areas with tumor and/or the most risky areas for tumor spread are determined, as well as the normal tissues that need to be protected.
Meanwhile, markings are made on the skin and the target volume is irradiated under the same conditions from one radiotherapy session to the next.
In radiotherapy sessions, it is important to give the defined dose in the most precise way, to ensure that the rays reach the right place in the body, to ensure that the patient's position is not disturbed throughout the treatment, to maintain the same position in each treatment, and to make the environment immobile to ensure the best comfort for the patient. Some accessories can be used in this process, which we call “immobolization”. Preparation You will be notified of the days and hours of your treatment after the end of the period.
A few days between the preparation session and the first treatment is necessary for the Radiotherapy team, under the leadership of the Radiation Oncologist, to prepare the treatment in the best possible way for you and your disease and to get the highest level of results.
TREATMENT SESSIONS
How is Treatment Given?
Radiotherapy is given in divided sessions to minimize normal tissue toxicity.
The total number of sessions is determined individually for each patient. This determination is made according to the type of cancer, its stage, the purpose of irradiation and the patient's general health condition, depending on the total dose and how many sessions this dose will be given.
Except for special cases, most treatment schemes are once a day and generally 5 days a week except weekends. is applied. Treatment is not applied 2 days a week, that is, on weekends, in order for healthy cells to recover.
Who gives radiotherapy?
The "Radiation Oncologist", a physician who specializes in the treatment of diseases with radiation, determines the type of treatment and plan you need.
Radiation Oncologists during your treatment. works with a special team. The healthcare team that can be included in this team is a Medical Physics Engineer, Dosimetrist and Radiotherapy Technician.
Medical Physics Engineer: Checks that the devices work correctly and give the appropriate dose of radiation.
Dosimetrist: Determines the number and duration of sessions in treatments. .
Radiotherapy Nurse: Provides nursing services during the treatment and helps you cope with side effects.
Radiotherapy Technician: Makes your preparations before the treatment and ensures the operation of the treatment devices.
Apart from this team, you can also get help from dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists and other health professionals.
How Are Sessions Performed?
Although it varies depending on the technique used, The treatment session may last between 5 and 45 minutes.
Our Radiation Oncology Technician will assist you in each session. The person responsible for the application of the treatment planned on the computer by the Doctor and the Physics Engineer is the Radiotherapy Technician.
After helping to place you on the treatment table, the Radiotherapy Technician goes out and starts the machine.
During the session, a control screen appears. and stays in constant communication with you thanks to the intercom. If you need something, it stops the device and responds to your request.
Important Points You Should Pay Attention to During the Treatment
In order to best implement the treatment as planned, it is important that you remain motionless in the position given to you. .
During irradiation, you do not see the beams or feel anything, you only hear the device working.
The temperature in the treatment rooms is deliberately kept low to prevent the devices from overheating. Therefore, the temperature of the room where you will receive treatment may seem cold to you.
In order to maintain our daily schedule, you will be asked to arrive for your appointments on time, and we will try to prepare everything necessary to get you to the treatment session on time. However, although not often, it is inevitable that you will be kept waiting from time to time due to emergency patients or problems arising from the device.
If you cannot enter the treatment for any reason, your session of that day will be arranged to take place later. It is not possible to cancel any session completely. What matters is It is the sum of the sessions rather than whether the sessions are taken on the day or not, which is the calculated and required radiation dose for the entire treatment.
For your comfort, it is recommended that you wear clothes that can be easily taken off and put on before coming to the treatment session.
You don't need to come hungry. Continue taking the medications you have used before during radiotherapy.
To protect your skin, do not use the creams recommended for you within 2 hours before and after the treatment.
You can take a bath during radiotherapy. Keeping your skin clean will reduce the possibility of developing side effects on the skin.
Follow-up of the Treatment
During the treatment, you will be followed up regularly by the Nurse or Radiation Oncology Doctor.
Possible side effects related to the treatment are determined, and when necessary, efforts are made to reduce or prevent these undesirable effects with practical advice and medications.
During the treatment process, do not hesitate to share your questions and concerns about your condition with our Doctor or the Nurses who follow you.
If you feel excessive anxiety and uneasiness during the treatment process or the treatment device, we recommend that you seek psychologist support.
Monitoring in the Hospital
More than 95% of the patients are outpatients, therefore there is no inpatient service in our unit.
Patients who need to be treated by inpatients, They are directed to the oncological treatment unit or another service of the hospital.
Side Effects
Side effects are usually It may start not in the first days, but in the following days, as the dose increases. It may not occur all the time and may vary from person to person.
Some of these side effects may include fatigue, fatigue, etc.
Side effects specific to the treated area may often occur after the second or third week of treatment.
In your first meeting with the Radiation Oncology Doctor, information about the side effects will be given to you.
During the treatment, doctors and nurses will help you go through the process in the most comfortable way whenever you need it, do not hesitate to talk to them about your thoughts.
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