Mesothelioma Treatment: Radiation or Radiotherapy
Laura Russell - Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects
the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body. Among
them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are the mostly affected.
It
is estimated that each year, 2,000 new cases of Mesothelioma are
reported. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have had
prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known
cause of Mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of the
short survival duration of 6 – 12 months. But doctors specialized in
treating malignant Mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect better
survival rates. Though Mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering
to the victim along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have
resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous
tumors of Mesothelioma. Radiation Or Rado Therapy is one of the Mesothelioma treatments available to patients suffering from the asbestos-related cancer (Mesothelioma).
RADIATION or RADIO THERAPY:
Radiationor radiotherapy is a series of localized use of high-dose radiations
given to a Mesothelioma patient either externally (known as external
radiotherapy) or internally (known as internal radiotherapy). It
destroys the cancer cells in the targeted section of the body by means
of x-rays or radioactive materials.
External Radiotherapy:
In
external radiotherapy, radiations are passed through a patient’s body
using x-rays and/or cobalt irradiation. This type of radiotherapy is a
relatively painless procedure, which is divided into several sessions.
Although, it reduces the size of the tumor, the external radiotherapy
also damages the normal cells. Thus, the idea to have it in sessions
results the damage control of normal cells that can be repaired
naturally.
Internal Radiotherapy:
Internal radiotherapy is a
clinical procedure that delivers higher quantity of radiations to a
Mesothelioma patient than the external radiotherapy. This is usually
given to those patients whose cancer is on extreme stages. In internal
radiotherapy, a radioactive material is placed inside the patient’s
tumor or a radioactive fluid is given to a patient through mouth or
injection. The radioactive material(s) then circulates throughout the
body, with the help of blood, and annihilates the cancer cells.
Radiation therapycan be administered, with or without chemotherapy, after a surgery to
avoid the recurrence of Mesothelioma. Doctors may also prescribe a
limited amount of radiation therapy to a patient, depending on the
nature, position and stage of the cancer. Certain side effects are
recorded in patients who underwent radiation therapy, which were minor
and diminished once the radiation treatment was over. Consult a
professional oncologist for detailed information about the side effects
and its treatment(s), before undergoing radiotherapy.
Laura
Russell is a professional health writer having expertise in the field
of Mesothelioma Cancer. To read more of her articles please vist: Mesothelioma Cancer Info