(health) Radiation Therapy and You - A Guide to Self-Help During Cancer Treatment.pdf

Radiation Therapy and You
A GUIDE TO SELF-HELP
DURING CANCER TREATMENT
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Cancer Institute
Radiation Therapy and You
A GUIDE TO SELF-HELP
DURING TREATMENT
. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
Contents
Acknowledgements ................................................................1
Introduction............................................................................2
1. Radiation in Cancer Treatment .......................................5
What Is Radiation Therapy?.......................................................5
How Does Radiation Therapy Work? .........................................5
What Are the Goals and Benefits of Radiation Therapy?..........6
What Are the Risks of Radiation Therapy? ................................7
How Is Radiation Therapy Given? .............................................8
Who Gives Radiation Treatments?.............................................9
Is Radiation Treatment Expensive? ............................................9
2. External Radiation Therapy: What To Expect.............11
How Does the Doctor Plan My Treatment? .............................11
How Long Does the Treatment Take? ......................................12
What Happens During the Treatment Visits?..........................13
What Is Hyperfractionated Radiation Therapy? ......................14
What Is Intraoperative Radiation? ...........................................14
What Are the Side Effects of Treatment? .................................16
What Can I Do To Take Care of Myself During Therapy?.......17
3. Internal Radiation Therapy: What To Expect...............21
When Is Internal Radiation Therapy Used?.............................21
How Is the Implant Placed in the Body? .................................22
How Are Other People Protected From Radiation While the
Implant is in