Introduction Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy or radiotherapy) represents an important therapeutic approach in the treatment of oncological diseases (cancer). It is usually used in combination with chemotherapy and surgery. Often, the side effects of radiation therapy cannot be clearly separated from the complications of other therapy options. In addition, the various therapeutic approaches … Side effects of irradiation
Diagnosis Since the side effects of radiation are very diverse, their diagnosis is also very different. In order to define the side effect or consequence of irradiation, the patient’s medical history must include radiotherapy in the affected area. If complaints subsequently arise which can be explained by the cell damage after irradiation, it is often … Diagnosis | Side effects of irradiation
Duration Prognosis The duration of the side effects of irradiation often depends on the intensity and duration of the irradiation. Acute radiation reactions often last for several days and can quickly reoccur if the patient is irradiated again. Chronic radiation reactions, on the other hand, are often not noticeable at all for several months or … Duration Prognosis | Side effects of irradiation
Synonyms Radiooncology Irradiation Tumour irradiation Treatment Today, high-quality cancer therapy is carried out in consultation between the relevant medical departments (surgical disciplines, internal oncology, radiotherapy) and the patient. In the beginning, a consensus must be reached on the achievable therapeutic goal. Important questions here are whether the tumor can be cured, whether there are symptoms … Treatment by radiotherapy
Synonyms Radiooncology Irradiation Tumour irradiation Behavior during radiotherapy Depending on the irradiated body region, some measures should be taken to alleviate or prevent possible side effects. In general, the skin in the areas to be irradiated should be manipulated as little as possible. Some clinics have a general ban on washing during the therapy period. … Behavior during radiotherapy
Note This topic is the continuation of our page: Radiotherapy Synonyms Irradiation planning, planning of radiotherapy, preparation of radiotherapy Definition Radiotherapy planning includes all preparatory measures necessary to perform radiotherapy according to the required quality criteria. Procedure The following steps are regularly carried out during irradiation planning: Storage Image acquisition Defining the therapy region Calculating … Radiotherapy planning
Defining the therapy region In the image data set obtained, the attending physician now marks the area which is to receive the therapeutic radiation dose and which areas and organs must be protected. Many aspects of the tumor disease must be taken into account. For some, it is sufficient to treat the tumor region itself, … Defining the therapy region | Radiotherapy planning
What are late effects after radiation therapy? Almost every second person who is treated for cancer must also undergo radiation therapy. Although this does not initially cause any symptoms, it can have negative effects in the course of time, which often only become apparent as late effects. For example, there may be various secondary effects … Late effects after irradiation
Late effects on the skin The skin is the organ that is most often damaged during radiation therapy. With the exception of “irradiation from within” (so-called brachytherapy), which is possible in some cancers, the radiation must penetrate the skin and damage can almost never be completely avoided. In addition to the often early skin irritations, … Late effects on the skin | Late effects after irradiation
Late effects after radiation therapy for colorectal cancer In colorectal cancer, irradiation is usually only used if the cancer is rectal. In fact, radiation is often performed before surgery. Late effects of radiation after colorectal cancer are therefore mainly found in the small pelvis. A distinction can be made between damage to the bowel itself … Late effects after radiation therapy for colorectal cancer | Late effects after irradiation
Late effects after irradiation of the pelvis Irradiation in the pelvis can cause various late complications, since many different organs and sometimes very fine and sensitive pathways run in a confined space. In the intestine, adhesions or constrictions can occur as a late consequence. Irradiation can thus be responsible for complaints such as intestinal cramps … Late effects after irradiation of the pelvis | Late effects after irradiation
Late effects after irradiation of the bladder After irradiation of the bladder, various late effects are possible. In most cases the function of emptying the bladder is disturbed. Two different courses are possible. In some people, an uncontrolled leakage of urine (incontinence) occurs as a late consequence. On the contrary, the late consequence of radiation … Late effects after irradiation of the bladder | Late effects after irradiation
