External Radiation Therapy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• External radiation therapy is a treatment which uses radiation to treat cancer. Radiation is a strong beam of x-ray energy which passes through normal organs and tissues to reach tumors. Cancer is a condition where abnormal cells increase in number and form tumors. Tumors can grow anywhere in your body, such as in your head, chest, and abdomen (stomach). They can grow big and damage tissues, blood vessels, and nerves around them. In your brain, tumors cause headaches, seizures (convulsions), problems with how you think, and trouble remembering things. A prostate tumor can give men problems when passing urine, getting an erection, or getting a female partner pregnant. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of your body and grow into new tumors.
  
  
• Radiation may be used with other treatments such as medicines, chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation therapy may kill cancer cells, and decrease cancer pain that does not go away, even after your use medicine. It may also keep you cancer-free, and increase the years of your life.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Radiation kills tumor cells but can also damage other normal cells in your body. When there is too much damage from radiation, normal cells can die, or grow into a tumor. When normal cells in your tissues or body organs die, that organ may stop working. You can lose your appetite, feel very weak, and have problems thinking. You can have red, dry, and rotting skin on the area getting radiation. You can have an upset stomach, pain in your bowels, loose watery stools, and blood in your stools. Your blood cells can decrease, and you may get tired easily, look pale, and be at risk for infections.
  
  
• Without external radiation therapy, tumors can grow bigger and damage tissues around them. You can get very weak, lose weight, and have pain in areas with tumors. Cancer cells may spread and grow into new tumors in other parts of your body. These tumors can damage more organs and make it hard for you to heal. You may not be able to do things that you enjoy doing. Talk to your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your treatment, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your treatment:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Tests:
  
  
  • Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
    
    
  • Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. An x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of the inside of your body. This test shows the size, shape, and location of your tumor.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: This is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures of your body are taken. An MRI may be used to check around your tumor for other problems.
    
    
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a test that can show the insides of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen. This test shows the size, shape, and location of your tumor.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

During your treatment:

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will be taking to the room where your treatment will be done. Your treatment will happen on a special table that can be moved to different positions. Pillows or supports can be used to hold you in the right position. Shields to block radiation from other parts of your body may be put over you.

An MRI or CT scan is used to help point the radiation beam at your tumor. The scan will also show the exact shape, size, and location of your tumor. Your caregiver will set the beam's shape and how much radiation your tumor will get. The beam comes from x-ray machines and is pointed where it passes through the least amount of healthy tissue. This will help prevent normal tissue from getting radiation. There is a bar that holds the beam which will be moved around you. This lets your caregiver point the beam at the right part of your body. The size and shape of the beam will be the same as your tumor. A wider beam may be used to kill cancer cells that are starting to spread.During your treatment you will need to lie still and relax. You should not feel any pain, heat, tingling, or anything else during treatment. When your treatment is done, your bed will be moved out of the treatment area.

After your treatment:

You may be taken to a room where caregivers can watch you closely for problems. Do not try to get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. Later, you may be able to go home, or you will be taken to your hospital room.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about External Radiation Therapy (Inpatient Care)