Radiation Therapy

The following diagnostic tests may be performed before radiation therapy:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will check the symptoms of the patient and evaluate the patient physically.
2. Imaging tests: CT scans and MRI scans may be performed to obtain clear, detailed images of the suspected cancerous organ.
3. Endoscopy: A tune with a camera on one end is used to examine an organ internally.
4. Blood tests: They help in the detection of any medical abnormalities by the assessment of blood cell count.
5. Biopsy: This involves the excision of the suspected tissue growth by the doctor and evaluating it under the microscope to confirm the diagnosis of cancer and the type of cancer cell present.

The radiation therapist takes an x-ray, known as a port film, on the first day of treatment. 
The port films are normally taken every week to verify that you have been positioned accurately during each treatment.
CT scans are taken throughout the procedure. Sometimes, ultrasounds or x-rays may be used instead of CT scans.
The procedure can be carried out in the following ways:

1. External beam radiation therapy:
A machine known as a linear accelerator directs the high-energy beams of radiation into the body.
The linear accelerator moves around you to provide radiation from several angles as you lie on the table.
This linear accelerator makes a buzzing sound and can be adjusted to deliver the precise dose of radiation that the doctor recommends.
This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis (the patient goes home on the same day after treatment), five times a week.
Each treatment session lasts for about ten to thirty minutes.
Sometimes, a single treatment may be performed to relieve the symptoms associated with advanced types of cancers.
The session is usually not painful and the doctors are usually in an adjacent room monitoring the session.

2. Internal radiation therapy:
This procedure is performed when the radiation source is placed inside the body.
This source is taken in the form of seeds, capsules, or through an intravenous (injected into the vein) line in case of a liquid which helps in the detection of the cancer cells and killing them.

The side effects of radiation therapy depend on which part of the body is getting exposed to radiation and how much radiation is being used. The common side effects of radiation therapy include:

• Hair loss at the site of treatment 
• Skin irritation at the treatment site
• Fatigue

The common side effects of radiation therapy depending on the part of the body being treated include:
Head and neck:

• Dry mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Thickened saliva
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Tooth decay
• Mouth sores
• Change in the way the food tastes

Chest:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in swallowing 
• Abdominal area:
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting 

Pelvis:

• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Bladder irritation
• Sexual dysfunction 

• You will most likely go home on the same day after radiation therapy.
• Symptoms like skin irritation and fatigue may develop after a couple of radiation therapy sessions. However, some people may have no side effects after radiation therapy.
• The doctor will closely monitor your health, treatment schedule, and dosing during the weeks of treatment.
• Inform your doctor about the side effects that you may experience after a radiation therapy session. The doctor may advise you or give medicines to relieve your discomfort.
• Follow-up appointments with the doctor are recommended. The doctor will do periodic scans after the treatment to see how cancer has responded to radiation therapy.