Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a common way to treat cervical cancer. Doctors who specialize in treating cancers with radiation are known as radiation oncologists. During radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given by a machine that aims x-rays at the body (external beam radiation) or by placing small capsules of radioactive material directly into the cervix (internal or implant radiation or brachytherapy). Many patients receive both kinds of radiation therapy. For stage I cervical cancer, radiation therapy may be used instead of surgery or it may be used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. For stages IB-IVA cervical cancer, radiation therapy is usually administered concurrently with chemotherapy.
Although patients do not feel anything while receiving radiation treatment, the effects of radiation gradually build up over time. Many patients become tired as treatment continues. Loose stools and diarrhea are also common. Urination may become more frequent or uncomfortable. Some patients may experience loss of pubic hair or irritation of the skin. After the radiation therapy is completed, the vagina can become narrower and less flexible. Finally, radiation therapy to the pelvis can stop the ovaries from functioning, thereby causing younger women to enter menopause early and subsequently be infertile.
With any treatment of cancer, you must first understand your responsibility, your medical team’s role, explore treatment options and get a second opinion(s) before you begin treatment. Since the side effects of radiation can be significant, talk to your doctor before treatment begins so that you understand the specific kind of radiation you will receive and the expected side effects. The following list of questions is meant as a guide to issues you should discuss with your radiation oncologist and medical team before undergoing radiation therapy for cervical cancer.
Questions to Ask When Exploring Your Options
Questions to Ask about Radiation
Questions to Ask about Side Effects
Questions to Ask about Recovery
Determining that radiation therapy is the right treatment for you, as well as asking your radiation oncologist about treatment procedures and side effects are critical to making informed decisions about your disease. Exploring emotional and physical side effects of radiation therapy will give you some insight into potential problems before they occur. Although managing and living with these side effects may still be difficult, at least you will be aware and informed if they occur. Before undergoing any treatment for you disease you should understand your responsibility, your medical team’s role, explore treatment options, ask questions and get a second opinion(s).
Information presented in The Daily Tip is offered as a guide to augment a patient’s research of cancer and treatment and does not replace the advice of a doctor. For more information on a specific cancer, go to CancerConsultants.com,www.cancer.gov, and consult your physician.
Questions to Ask Before Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a common way to treat cervical cancer. Doctors who specialize in treating cancers with radiation are known as radiation oncologists. During radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given by a machine that aims x-rays at the body (external beam radiation) or by placing small capsules of radioactive material directly into the cervix (internal or implant radiation or brachytherapy). Many patients receive both kinds of radiation therapy. For stage I cervical cancer, radiation therapy may be used instead of surgery or it may be used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. For stages IB-IVA cervical cancer, radiation therapy is usually administered concurrently with chemotherapy.
Although patients do not feel anything while receiving radiation treatment, the effects of radiation gradually build up over time. Many patients become tired as treatment continues. Loose stools and diarrhea are also common. Urination may become more frequent or uncomfortable. Some patients may experience loss of pubic hair or irritation of the skin. After the radiation therapy is completed, the vagina can become narrower and less flexible. Finally, radiation therapy to the pelvis can stop the ovaries from functioning, thereby causing younger women to enter menopause early and subsequently be infertile.
With any treatment of cancer, you must first understand your responsibility, your medical team’s role, explore treatment options and get a second opinion(s) before you begin treatment. Since the side effects of radiation can be significant, talk to your doctor before treatment begins so that you understand the specific kind of radiation you will receive and the expected side effects. The following list of questions is meant as a guide to issues you should discuss with your radiation oncologist and medical team before undergoing radiation therapy for cervical cancer.
Questions to Ask When Exploring Your Options
Questions to Ask about Radiation
Questions to Ask about Side Effects
Questions to Ask about Recovery
Determining that radiation therapy is the right treatment for you, as well as asking your radiation oncologist about treatment procedures and side effects are critical to making informed decisions about your disease. Exploring emotional and physical side effects of radiation therapy will give you some insight into potential problems before they occur. Although managing and living with these side effects may still be difficult, at least you will be aware and informed if they occur. Before undergoing any treatment for you disease you should understand your responsibility, your medical team’s role, explore treatment options, ask questions and get a second opinion(s).
Information presented in The Daily Tip is offered as a guide to augment a patient’s research of cancer and treatment and does not replace the advice of a doctor. For more information on a specific cancer, go to CancerConsultants.com,www.cancer.gov, and consult your physician.
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Tags: Cervical Cancer, Uncategorized