Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) is the treatment of cancer using ionizing radiation. The aim of radiotherapy is to kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing and multiplying, while causing as little damage to normal tissue as possible. Radiotherapy is a local treatment method similar to surgical methods; It shows both its effects and side effects wherever it is applied. Treatment Planning During the first meeting with your Radiation Oncologist Doctor, he will tell you about the treatment and possible side effects and then ask you to sign a consent form approving the treatment. Once your approval is received, the planning phase will begin. In the phase called "planning", doctors direct the treatment by making the necessary drawings to ensure that diseased tissues are exposed to the most radiation and normal tissues are exposed to the least radiation. Making the treatment plan with computed tomography allows the determination of the areas with tumor and/or the most risky areas for the spread of the tumor, as well as the detection of normal tissues that need to be protected. For this procedure, first of all, an image of the area to be treated will be taken with computerized tomography at the Radiotherapy Department of Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital. Before Planning Tomography During the CT scan and subsequent treatment sessions, you will be asked to remove all of your upper clothing. For this reason, you will be given an apron to wear when passing from the changing cabin to the treatment room, and you will be asked to bring this apron with you throughout the treatment sessions. First of all, your position in the device during radiotherapy sessions is determined, and then a computed tomography is taken in this position. Stabilization systems will be used during the treatment to ensure that the dose defined in radiotherapy sessions is given in the most precise way and that the rays reach the right place in the body, that the patient's position is not disturbed throughout the treatment and that the same position is maintained in each treatment, and that the patient's comfort is ensured in the best possible way. The system that will be used in your treatment ensures that the upper body is fixed during the treatment. It consists of a head pillow, hand holder and arm stabilizer parts. During Planning Tomography, your tomography will be taken after you are given the appropriate position with the fixation system. During shooting, the tomography table moves slowly. It passes through the device, you don't feel anything. You will be alone in the room, but your Radiotherapy Technician will always be watching you from behind the glass window. You need to stand still and breathe normally during the shooting. If you need anything urgently, please raise your hand and ask for help from your Radiotherapy Technician. After Planning Tomography, markings need to be made on your skin in order to ensure that the target volume is irradiated under the same conditions from one radiotherapy session to the next. For this purpose, ink pens that do not come off easily are used, or an application called "tatuaj" that lasts much longer can be applied. For this reason, you must continue to lie still after the tomography scan and allow time for your Radiotherapy Technician to make markings. These signs should be needed until your treatment is finished. It is necessary to be careful not to remove these marks while washing. If there is any deletion, you must inform your Radiotherapy Technician. Please do not try to complete the erased marks yourself. Treatment The amount of radiation required for your treatment is divided into small daily doses (fractions) to ensure the protection of normal tissues and cells. After determining the target volume and normal tissue with tomography sections, your doctor meets with the Dosimetrist and Medical Physics Engineer to determine how much dose to be given, how this dose will be given and how many sessions it will take. This planning phase usually takes 2-5 days. The total treatment duration is generally 2-6 weeks. Unless stated otherwise, treatment will be daily from Monday to Friday. Although you stay in the treatment room for 15 - 30 minutes in each session, the radiation dose is given within 1 - 5 minutes. You will not feel pain or suffering during radiotherapy sessions. You will not emit radiation after leaving the device, and there is no harm in contacting others. You do not need to come to treatment hungry. Continue taking the medications you were using before during radiotherapy. Please seek consultation when you arrive for your first appointment. The staff at the reception will direct you to the treatment room. During Treatment During treatment, you must remain still and breathe normally. Your Radiotherapy Technicians will determine the position of the computerized planning tomography on the treatment table. The table will be moved slowly inside the treatment machine to help you take the medicine, but the machine will not touch you. The radiotherapy technician will leave the room before the radiation is delivered. However, you will be monitored externally through a monitor. Even if you are alone during the treatment, your voice can be heard through the speaker and the technician can communicate with you when you speak. Radiotherapy devices are quite large and can make noise as they rotate at different angles around the treatment area. At first, the size and noise of the devices may seem intimidating. It should not be forgotten that the devices are operated by the relevant technicians and their proper functioning is constantly checked. You can ask your technician or doctor any questions you want about the treatment room or devices. Evaluation of Treatment During the treatment, you will be monitored for side effects regularly by your Nurse or Radiation Oncologist. Possible side effects due to treatment are detected and, when necessary, efforts are made to reduce or prevent these undesirable effects with practical advice and medications. You can always convey your questions and concerns about your condition to your doctor or the nurses who follow you. Side Effects Seen in Radiation Treatment Side effects generally begin 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. It is also seen only in the area where radiotherapy is applied. Side effects will be explained to you at the first meeting with your Radiation Oncologist. Doctors and nurses will assist you throughout the treatment, do not hesitate to talk to them about your questions and problems. Fatigue Most patients experience fatigue within a few weeks of starting treatment. During radiotherapy, the body spends great energy to renew itself. The stress caused by your illness, combined with your commute during treatment and the effects of radiation, creates a feeling of weakness and fatigue. This situation gradually decreases after completion of treatment. It is better to avoid strenuous activities during your treatment and limit activities when you feel tired. Decreased Appetite and Difficulty in Swallowing Since the esophagus remains within the treatment area in most patients, eating problems may occur. However, you should not lose weight to prevent your resistance to treatment from decreasing and to help normal tissues renew themselves. Your doctor or nurse will make suggestions when you start having eating problems. Skin Reaction: Generally, no serious skin reaction occurs in lung cancer radiotherapy. You may notice that the skin texture in the treatment area becomes more reddish, darker, sensitive, or sunburned. Your doctor or nurse will make recommendations for the treatment of such disorders or itching complaints. Other side effects: You may experience complaints such as dry cough and shortness of breath. After your treatment is completed, your complaints will gradually decrease. General Recommendations Clean with warm water and soap, do not use shower gel, bath oils or bubble bath on the area to be treated, avoid rubbing, scrubbing and scratching. Hair removal cream, wax, talcum powder, etc. Do not use on the treated area. There is no harm in using them on parts of your body other than the treatment area. Protect your skin in this area from sun exposure during your treatment and for at least 1 year after the end of your treatment. If you have to go out in the sun, protect the area with light, non-constricting clothing. Get recommendations from your doctor or nurse for sun protection creams. During the treatment, never go to swimming pools, the sea, sauna or Turkish bath until the side effects disappear. After Treatment After your treatment has finished, the side effects of radiotherapy may peak 7 to 10 days. The severity of side effects that occur during this period may increase, and may even occur after the treatment is completed, even if no side effects are observed during the treatment. The majority of these side effects will improve within a few months of treatment. Do not forget to make an appointment for a follow-up examination 1 month after the last day of treatment. If the side effects are severe, do not hesitate to consult our doctor again within 1 week. Coping with Lung Cancer A diagnosis of lung cancer can bring special concerns. Getting psychological support during this process will help you cope with the emotional state that may arise during the process. It will help you to talk to both the healthcare team and your family about the questions you have about the treatment. Cancer and all cancer-related For your health-related questions, you can contact our hospital at any time and our team will assist you.
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