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What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy (RT) is a type of treatment where high-energy rays (X-rays, gamma rays, beta particles) are directed at cancerous tumors. These rays cause damage to DNA, killing cells and stopping their reproduction. RT may be given alone or combined with surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments. The price of radiation therapy in India can be depend on many factor.
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How does Radiation Therapy work?
The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy tumor cells while minimizing harm to normal surrounding tissue. When the rays reach the tumor, they deposit energy along the path of least resistance. As they travel deeper into the body, the density of tissue decreases. So, the amount of energy deposited per unit volume increases. This means that the deeper the tumor is located, the greater the chance that some of the tumor cells will receive lethal doses of radiation. The success rate of radiation therapy in India is increasing day by day.
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It’s Types
There are two types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation and internal radiation. External beam radiation uses beams of X-rays or electrons to treat the entire body. Internal radiation uses radioactive material placed directly into the tumor site. There are several different techniques of using internal radiation. One technique is brachytherapy, where a small sealed tube containing radioactive seeds is implanted inside the tumor. Another technique is called stereotactic radiosurgery, where a linear accelerator directs highly focused beams of radiation at a specific point in the brain or spine.
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Benefits
While radiation therapy is often associated with pain and suffering, modern technology allows for much less pain than was once possible. Modern radiation equipment includes computerized targeting systems that allow physicians to target the exact area of the tumor to be treated. This minimizes the time spent delivering radiation to the patient and reduces exposure to healthy tissue. In addition, newer forms of radiation have been shown to improve survival rates in certain cancers.
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Risks of Radiation Therapy
Because radiation damages DNA, any cells that divide after treatment will be damaged. If these cells are not replaced, then the body’s natural repair mechanisms cannot replace them. This results in scarring and fibrosis, which can lead to organ failure and death. Radiation can also cause damage to healthy tissue, including hair follicles, skin, nerves, and blood vessels.
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Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Side effects vary depending on the type of radiation therapy being administered. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, fatigue, bleeding gums, dry eyes, headaches, chest pains, difficulty sleeping, and weight loss. Other complications include infections, heart problems, lung disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and infertility.
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Who Gets Radiation Therapy?
Radical prostatectomy, breast removal, and lymph node dissection are examples of surgeries that require radiation therapy. Patients who have had previous radiation therapy may need additional radiation therapy before having a second operation. Patients with advanced stage cancer may be candidates for radiation therapy.
