Radiotherapy Process in Cancer Treatment

Because most people know very little about radiation therapy, this treatment can be scary or worrying.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to stop cancer cells from growing and dividing with the help of X-rays. We use higher-energy radiation beams than x-rays for diagnostic purposes. Normal cells are also damaged by radiation. Normal cells renew themselves better than cancer cells.

How is Radiation Given?

• External Radiation: Radiation is usually given externally. This means that treatment may take more than a few days or several weeks. Sometimes we give one session. We use the radiation device to deliver high-dose radiation. The device directs a radiation beam with one or more beams to the area we want to treat. Different kinds of devices can be used, and they each work completely differently.
• Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): Internal radiation can be given in several different ways. Radioactive needles or seeds placed in the body are used. Consult your doctor for more information about Internal Radiation.

In the Radiation Therapy Unit:
1) Planning and simulation Your first visit to the radiation therapy department is for planning your treatment. Most people go through a process called simulation. Three-dimensional treatments are performed by scanning the body region in thin sections with a computerized tomography device and determining the volumes of organs and tumors on the images taken. Some materials can be used to fix the body.
The dosimetrist or technician will take you to the CT room. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown. We can put some marks on your skin. These marks indicate the treatment area. You can see your doctor before the CT scan, your doctor will be with you during the CT and manage your planning. On the other hand, the technician or dosimetrist will explain to you what will happen.
The technician will give you the position the doctor wants on the simulator bed. Try to stay still and follow the commands given to you. Staying still is very important because we need to make sure we are treating the right place. You can breathe normally during the simulation. Ken do not strain your knee too much and lie comfortably and relaxed on the CT table.
Measurement of the treated area is taken to assist your treatment plan. We can also take a digital photo to record the position.
During planning, the technician puts some marks on your skin. These are made with felt-tip pens. You can wash by keeping these marks, we protect the marks by sticking clear tape. Sometimes we make these marks as tiny dot tattoos with sterile ink and sterile needle. These are very small and permanent.
The simulation takes from 10 minutes to over an hour. If your treatment is complex, more than one simulation session may be needed.
In some special cases, it may be necessary to plan your treatment area more precisely with PET-CT planning and MR image fusion.
2) Mask room Sometimes it is difficult to stay in one position. We make thermoplastic masks for people who receive treatment from the head and neck area. This mask keeps you stable during treatment. We can also draw marks for treatment on the mask. This means that the marks will not be on your face. The mask is fixed on the head and prevents vital organs such as eyes from receiving doses. If your mask becomes loose due to weight loss during treatment, it may be necessary to re-make the mask and make a new IT planning.
If you need a mask, the mask is made before the simulation. Please do not cut your hair or shave your beard after the mask is made so that the mask will fit properly. Mold room staff will talk to you about your expectations about the mask.
We can also apply the mask to other parts of the body. This is all the areas where treatment is planned.
3) Next step All the information obtained from CT, PET-CT, MR images are used in the planning of your treatment. The plan may take 1-2 weeks to complete. While planning the treatment, we use computer programs prepared with specially developed software. We make sure that the radiation given to dose-sensitive solid structures is within the limits we want with the graphs called dose-volume histogram. The doctor, radiophysicist and dosimetrist work together in your treatment plan.

How Does the Treatment Process Proceed?

When you arrive at the hospital, nurses will accompany you to the device area for your treatment. It explains what will happen during your treatment. If you have any concerns a please notify. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown for treatment. Wear these aprons, which are very easy to put on and take off. Before the treatment, electronic portal films are taken and your areas are determined.

Some information about the treatment:

• Laser is used to adjust the therapist treatment area. (The lights are dim in this section.)
• The treatment usually takes 15-30 minutes. Most of this time is spent trying to position you correctly. It usually takes a few minutes to deliver radiation.
• Sometimes your plan includes using special shielding. This shield protects sensitive areas from radiation. These protectors are placed inside the device before turning on the device.
• The technician leaves the room before opening the device. There can be no one else in the room during the treatment.
• You will not feel anything during the treatment.
• You will be alone in the room, but your treatment is carefully observed by cameras from the outside.
• Ask the technician to watch you during the treatment. There are two television cameras that provide It also has an internal phone line so you can talk to your therapist.
• Try not to move. You can breathe normally. Do not hold your breath unless you are told to.
• Sometimes the device makes a sound when it is turned on. You may hear a buzzing or horn sound.
• The radiation will turn off automatically when the treatment is finished. It can also be turned off at any time as needed.
• Many treatments require the device to be moved to apply from different angles. To ensure this, your therapist will come to the room frequently. Sometimes your therapist can do this from outside the room. In the meantime, continue to lie still without moving.
• You will see your doctor and nurse once a week while your treatment continues. This is called a weekly check. If your doctor is away, your nurse or another doctor can see you. Your doctor will monitor for side effects and may prescribe medication if necessary. If you have questions, you can always talk to our team.

Support Treatment These are additional treatments that reduce the patient's quality of life and reduce side effects. It is given to make the chemotherapy and radiotherapy process easier. These side effects depend on the amount of radiation given to you. some people There are no side effects of consecutive treatment. Side effects also depend on the area being treated.
Most side effects start gradually. It usually begins with the end of the second week of treatment. Some side effects may persist for weeks or months after treatment. Most side effects go away one month after treatment ends. How you feel also depends on your lifestyle and your own factors. For example, if you have had a chemotherapy treatment before. Even if patients receive the same dose of radiation to the same area, they may show different side effects.
Your doctor will explain to you the side effects that can be expected about your treatment. Your doctor can provide more information during your treatment. Side effects with radiation therapy can happen in any part of your body. The most important ones are fatigue, skin and mucous membrane problems and loss of appetite.
FatigueMost people experience mild fatigue. Some people feel the need to change their daily habits. This fatigue may be due to the physical effect of the treatment. Sometimes getting radiation for a few weeks is tiring. This fatigue will subside two weeks after your treatment ends. It may take a few months for you to return to normal.
Tips for fatigue

• Try doing some light exercise, such as walking.
• Get frequent rest during the day if you need it.
• Watch your family or friend. feel free to ask for help.
• Eat a balanced diet.

Skin Reaction The type of reaction depends on the forehead radiation dose and the type of device used. You may notice redness on your skin. Sometimes these rashes can be dry and in the form of a rash. Very rarely, blisters or watery sores can be seen. The reaction usually begins at the end of the second week of treatment. It will begin to disappear two weeks after the end of your last treatment. Your treatment team will monitor reactions closely.
Recommendations for skin reaction

• Be careful when washing the area.
• Use warm water and non-irritating soap.
• Gently with a soft towel dry it off.
• Wear loose clothing. Try to wear cotton for your skin.
• Do not apply perfume, cologne or cosmetics to the area. These can make the reaction area worse.
• Do not use deodorant if the skin is red and bubbly
• Do not rub or scrub your skin
• Never use too hot or hot oil on the area.
• Protect your skin from the sun or cold wind. Use a hat or protect the area from external factors.
• Avoid chlorinated pools.
• Protect the area from the sun for a few months before treatment.
• Do not use a Band-Aid on the area.
• Use an electric shaver if you need to shave
• Use a moisturizer on the area. Use the moisturizer after treatment and in the evening. If you experience an allergic reaction, stop using the moisturizing cream and contact your treatment team.
• Inform your doctor if you experience any redness, blisters or rash. The treated area may appear darker than untreated skin.
• Sometimes the treatment area may be tender or painful. This can happen even after treatment. If you have such a problem, call the contact numbers given to you.

Anorexia Balanced diet helps to reduce side effects. It also gives you energy.
Advice for loss of appetite

• Eat when you are hungry and have a snack on hand.
• Try new foods and take your favorite one more often.
• From a meal walk first. Light exercise will help.
• Ask for help, your family or friend can help you prepare a meal.
• Freeze some small portions for when you don't want to cook
• Make eating enjoyable . Have a meal with friends or with soft music, flowers, or anything that makes you feel good.

Hair Loss Loss can happen on the part of the body being treated. It usually starts around the third week of treatment. A day or two before hair loss, the scalp may become sensitive. Hair loss may last two to three weeks after the end of treatment. How much is spilled depends on the amount of radiation dose. At low doses, hair may regrow. In high doses, hair loss can be permanent. In other words, it may take months for the hair to regrow. Sometimes all the hair does not regrow. The newly grown hair is softer than before. Usually, facial hair in the treatment area does not regrow.
NauseaSome treatments make you feel sick. This usually happens 1 to 6 hours after treatment. Most people who receive radiation do not feel sick. If you encounter this problem, I can help you

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