Radiation therapy

External beam radiation for prostate cancer During external beam radiation treatment for prostate cancer, you lie on a table while a linear accelerator moves around you to deliver radiation from many angles. The linear accelerator delivers the precise dose of radiation planned by your treatment team. External beam radiation for prostate cancer uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. During the treatment, the high-energy beams are generated by a machine called a linear accelerator that aims the beams at your prostate gland. External beam radiation for prostate cancer kills cancer cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide. Healthy cells in the beam's path also are affected by the radiation, resulting in side effects. The goal of treatment is to destroy the cancerous cells while sparing as much of the normal surrounding tissue as possible. Why it's done Your doctor may recommend external beam radiation for prostate cancer as an option at different times during your cancer treatment and for different reasons, including: • As the only (primary) treatment for cancer, usually for early-stage cancer that is confined to your prostate • In combination with other treatments, such as hormone therapy, for more-serious cancer that's still confined to your prostate • After surgery, to reduce the risk of cancer returning (adjuvant therapy) • After surgery, when there is indication that your cancer has recurred either ...

Many cancer patients lose weight unexpectedly during We spoke with senior clinical dietician Haley Deas to answer common nutrition questions asked by patients facing radiation therapy. Here’s what she had to share. How important is protein during radiation therapy? Some good protein-rich foods to try are: • eggs • nuts/nut butters • seeds • soy/tofu • dairy products • meats • poultry • fish If you’re having trouble eating solid foods, try meal replacement drinks to make sure you get enough protein. How can I stay hydrated during radiation therapy? Staying hydrated makes side effects less severe and lowers your chances of missing or delaying All non-alcoholic beverages count toward keeping you hydrated. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, try flavoredwaters or waters infused with fruit or vegetables to improve the taste. The average radiation therapy patient needs 8 to 12 cups of water per day. If you are going to consume caffeinated drinks like You can also get some of the fluid you need from milk, sports drinks, tea, and moist foods like soup, Jell-O, yogurt, sherbet and pudding. Beverages containing lcohol do not count as part of your daily hydration Is it OK to take supplements during radiation therapy? Let your care team know about any supplements you are taking. Antioxidant supplements should be avoided during radiation therapy because they may end up protecting your cancer cells. Our goal is for patients to receive their daily vitamin and mineral intake from food and ...

• Electron beams: These are low-energy waves used to treat • Proton beams: These use a delayed release energy that spares collateral damage to healthy tissues. • Photon beams: These are the strongest types of radiation beams. • Neutron beams: These are often used for cancers of the head, neck, and • Carbon ion: This method uses the heaviest type of radiation particles, usually to treat cancers that are resistant to other types of radiation therapy. • Alpha and beta particles: These are weaker particles that are usually used in radiation studies but can sometimes be used to treat cancer. • On the day of treatment, you may want to eat lightly before your visit. If you become nauseated after your session, you may want to avoid eating for a few hours before your next treatment. • Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may even be asked to change into a hospital gown. • You will be placed on a treatment table with a hard surface. A technician will position you to ensure the best access to the treatment area. • Boards or immobilization devices may be used to make sure you don't move during treatment. While you can't move during radiation therapy, it's all right to breathe normally. • Even though you will be alone in the treatment room, you will be observed at all times by medical staff. Let them know immediately if you have any problems or need to move. • Every radiation therapy appointment is different, but generally treatment sessions last 10–30 minutes, with doses of radiation...

Radiation therapy, along with chemotherapy and surgery, is one of the most powerful tools we use to treat cancer. Radiation therapy includes the most common type, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and internal radiation therapy. Your radiation oncologist can recommend radiotherapy tailored to your condition and the kind of cancer you have. Overview External beam radiation therapy uses a machine outside of your body to deliver radiation, while internal radiation therapy uses implants or drugs to deliver radiation inside your body. What is radiation therapy (radiotherapy)? Radiation therapy — or radiotherapy — is a common Radiation What are the types of radiation therapy? There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and internal radiation therapy. Both types work by destroying a cancer cell’s DNA. Without DNA instructions telling them to grow and multiply, cancer cells die and tumors shrink. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) There are many forms of EBRT: • 3D conformal radiation therapy uses • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a more advanced form of radiation therapy. • Arc-based radiotherapy is a form of IMRT. It directs energy beams of varying intensity in a rotational arc-like pattern. This method delivers radiation faster than traditional IMRT. • Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is a form of EBRT in which the radiation machine obtains a low-dose X-ray or mini CT scan before each treatment. This image help...