radiotherapy- its side effects

How is radiotherapy delivered?

There are three major ways in which ionising radiation is  delivered. External beam radiotherapy: This involves the use  of a variety of machines to deliver external beam therapy.  The source is at a distance from the body. Brachytherapy: In this the radioactive source is  in or close to the area to be treated, or directly into  the tumour. Radioactive isotope: This involves giving a radioactive  isotope that is taken up by the target organ.  Radioactive isotopes can be injected or given into  a vein by an injection.

What are the side effects of radiotherapy?

The common side effects are skin diseases, nausea,  lethargy, bone marrow suppression, dairrhoea,  hair loss, lung fibrosis, kidney impairment and paralysis.

What is radiotherapy?

1. Radiotherapy involves the use of high-energy ionising 
2. radiation to cause DNA damage and ultimately cell death.
3. 
   
4. Dose of radiotherapy is measured in Grays (Gy) – 
5. this represents the amount of energy deposited in the tissue.
6. Radiotherapy is given in units called fractions over several
7.  day or weeks. To give the dose in one go is too toxic and 
8. would cause severe tissue damage and even death. 
9. The area to be irradiated is referred to as the radiation field. 
10. This is always marked out on the skin before treatment 
11. and such markings often perisist after the treatment.
12. Each tissue in the body has a particular tolerance to 
13. radiation. This limits the total dose that can be administered 
14. to that area.