Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy plays a relatively minor role in the treatment of
liver cancer. Most primary tumors that metastasize to the liver are
resistant to radiation therapy, while the healthy liver is highly
susceptible to radiation damage. Radiation therapy is often used to
treat patients who have tumors of the bile duct or gallbladder.
Most radiation therapy for liver cancer is used in conjunction with
other forms of treatment like surgery. Sometimes radiation therapy
will be administered at the time of surgery and is called
Intraoperative Radiation. Radiation may also be used as palliative
treatment to shrink tumors and relieve pain.
Radiation is the process of transmitting energy in the form of
waves or particles. Radiation therapy uses radiation in large doses
to kill cancer cells and to keep them from growing and spreading.
A special doctor called a Radiation Oncologist determines the type
of treatment you will receive and supervises the treatment process. A
Radiation Physicist will adjust the machine for the correct dosage of
radiation to be delivered to the patient.
There are two types of radiation therapy: external or internal.
External radiation therapy involves the use of a machine called a
linear accelerator that directs x-rays at cancer cells. This type of
treatment is usually administered 5 days a week for 2 - 7 weeks
depending upon the type of cancer and location. Because external
radiation requires directing x-rays at very specific parts of the
body, the actual treatment process begins by identifying the optimal
areas to treat. This is done with several diagnostic tests like x-rays
and CT scans.
Once the areas are identified, the Radiation Oncologist
marks the exact places with permanent ink. These marks will remain on
your body throughout the treatment period and are critical in
delivering proper treatment. The x-rays must be directed at the same
area from session to session for the treatment to be effective.
Internal Radiation Therapy, also called Brachytherapy, uses
radioactive materials that are implanted in your body, usually
directly into the cancer sites. Such substances as radium, cesium,
iridium, iodine, phosphorus, and palladium are placed in or near the
tumor.
Unlike external radiation therapy, internal radiation therapy does
make your body radioactive. While the implants are in place, they give
off radioactive waves that can potentially affect other people around
you. Understand the goals and risks of this therapy prior to beginning
this treatment.
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