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HOW DOES RADIATION THERAPY WORK?
Not long after doctors first knew that invisible radiation (X-rays) would let them see inside the body and find disease, they also learned how to use the same rays to treat disease. Radiation at high levels-ten thousands of times the amount used, for instance, to produce a chest X-ray, destroys the ability of cells to grow and divide. Both normal and diseased cells are affected, but most normal cells are able to recover quickly.
By carefully aiming and timing the high-energy rays, Radiation Oncologists use radiation as an effective tool in cancer treatment. Fifty-five to sixty percent of all people with cancer are treated with it at some point. For many of these patients, radiotherapy is the only kind of therapy utilized to destroy the cancer.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
RADIATION THERAPY?
Radiation Oncologists are using radiation to treat cancer in almost every part of the body. Sometimes radiation is used before surgery to shrink a cancerous tumor. After surgery, it may be used to stop the growth of any cancer cells that remain. In some cases, doctors prefer to use radiation and anti-cancer drugs, rather than surgery, to destroy a cancerous growth and prevent its reappearance.
The number of cancers that can be cured is rising every day, and Radiation Oncology plays an important part. In 2000, over 150,000 cancer patients in the United States will be reported to be free of the disease for 5 years or more after having radiation treatments alone or combined with other therapies.
In cases of advanced disease, when a cure of the cancer is not likely, treatment with radiation can still bring a large measure of relief. Many patients find the quality of their lives improved when radiotherapy is used to shrink tumors and reduce pressure, bleeding, pain, or other symptoms.
ARE THERE RISKS INVOLVED?
As with any other treatment for disease, there are risks with radiation. Radiotherapy uses relatively high doses of radiation to destroy cells. The risk of destroying some healthy cells (that is, the risk of side effects) is usually outweighed by the benefits of killing cancer cells, however.
Your Radiation Oncologist will not advise any treatment unless the benefits you expect-such as control of disease and relief from symptoms-exceed the known risks.
HOW IS THE
THERAPY GIVEN?
You might have radiation therapy in one or both of its forms: external and internal. In external therapy, a machine directs the high-energy rays to the cancer and some of the tissue around it.
The various machines that direct radiation to the cancer (the Oldelft superficial unit, Varian linear accelerators, etc) work in slightly different ways. Some are better for treating cancer near the skin surface; others work best on cancers deeper in the body.
Most people having radiation for cancer have the external type, given during outpatient visits to the hospital. For most patients having internal therapy, a small capsule of radioactive material (implant) is placed inside a body cavity or directly into the cancer (such as with the Nucletron High Dose Rate Unit).
ARE TREATMENTS EXPENSIVE?
Treatment of cancer with radiation can be costly. It involves very complex equipment as well as the services of many health care professionals. The exact cost of radiation therapy varies, of course, with the type and number of treatments required. The hospital and the physicians bill separately for their respective services.
Most health insurance policies, including Part B of Medicare, cover charges for the radiation therapy. You will need to discuss your policy and expected costs with the doctor's business manager and/or the hospital business office.
The Medicaid program may help you pay for therapy. Contact the office that handles social services in your city or county to find out if you are eligible for Medicaid and whether your Radiation Oncology treatment is a covered expense.
If you need financial aid, contact LMC's Social Services Department, the Cancer Information Service, or the local office of the American Cancer Society. They may be able to direct you to sources of help.
Also, the LMC Business Office can work with you to set up a
payment plan for the hospital charges, if needed.
WHO GIVES RADIATION TREATMENTS?
Your primary care physician will refer you to a cancer specialist - a Radiation Oncologist - who can prescribe the type and amount of
treatment that best suits your needs.
The Radiation Oncologist heads up a highly trained team of cancer care professionals. Your Radiation Oncology team might include:
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The Radiation Physicist, that calibrates the treatment machines to ensure that the dose delivered accurately reflects the physician's prescription. She is also involved in customizing the radiation beams to conform to the plan of the Radiation Oncologist.
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The Radiation Dosimetrist, who computes the dosage of radiation prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.
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The
Radiation Therapist, who delivers the prescribed treatment
and assists you before and after each treatment session.
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The Radiation Oncology Nurse who assists you and the Radiation Oncologist. This person assists in medical-surgical procedures and is a
valuable information resource for you.
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You may also, at some point, use the services of a dietitian, a physical
therapist, a social worker or other health care professional.
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