Radiation therapy, referred to as: Radiation therapy is one of the main treatments for tumors. Radiotherapy is the use of α, β, γ rays produced by isotopes and X-rays, electron rays, proton beams or other particle beams produced by various X-ray therapy machines or accelerators to irradiate lesions to achieve the killing effect on tumor cells.
Currently, the main clinical treatments for tumors include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Many of these tumors are very sensitive to radiotherapy, and radiotherapy can achieve good curative effects, and even radiotherapy alone can achieve tumor cure.
1. What types of radiation therapy are there?
Radiation therapy can be divided into external beam and internal beam (brachytherapy).
1. External irradiation includes: ordinary radiotherapy, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, physical positioning radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy, etc. Tumors in various parts of the body;
2. Brachytherapy includes: after-loading therapy, radioactive seed implantation, radionuclide application, etc.
2. Radiation Therapy?
1. Head and neck tumors: nasopharyngeal, laryngeal, oral and tongue cancers
< p>Notes: It is necessary to go to the oral department for cleaning, repair or extraction of bad teeth before the start of radiotherapy, which is beneficial to reduce the occurrence of oral infection, ulcers, radiation caries, etc. during and after radiotherapy. Patients with head tumors need to cut or shave their hair in advance.
2. Gastrointestinal tumors: esophageal cancer, rectal cancer
3. Thoracic and abdominal tumors: lung cancer, breast cancer , liver cancer
4. Reproductive system tumors: prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer
2. Radiation dermatitis
Most patients may experience radiation dermatitis during treatment, It usually presents with skin erythema, skin pain or burning, and scaling from dry or moist skin.
Treatment: Avoid shaving and use of any cream, cologne, or lotion in men with head and neck radiation therapy; wear loose, comfortable cotton clothing, and use mild and unscented Wash the dermatitis area with soap and gently wipe with a soft washcloth or washcloth.
The study found that smoking is a high risk factor for exacerbated skin reactions, so patients are advised to quit smoking.
3. Malnutrition
Malnutrition is malignant One of the most common complications in cancer patients. Radiotherapy kills tumor cells and also damages normal tissues, especially head and neck and digestive system tumors. Oral mucositis and gastrointestinal mucosal damage caused by radiotherapy will directly affect the intake, digestion and absorption of nutrients in patients. Absorption, causing or aggravating the occurrence of weight loss and malnutrition in patients.
Treatment measures: nutritional status monitoring during treatment, daily measurement of body weight, blood routine, electrolytes, liver and kidney function, inflammatory parameters, albumin, prealbumin, Transferrin, etc. Routine nutritional therapy is not recommended for patients undergoing radiotherapy for malignant tumors. If nutritional therapy is required, it is necessary to correctly assess the nutritional status of the patient (PG-SGA score) and the acute radiation injury (RTOG grading) of the patient during radiotherapy, standardize and individualize the choice of nutritional therapy path, and provide nutritional therapy in a timely manner.
References:1. Chinese Guidelines for Radiation Therapy of Head and Neck Tumors 2021 Edition2. Expert consensus on enteral nutrition for patients with malignant tumor radiotherapy3. Cao Qihua, et al. Research progress of immune checkpoint therapy for colorectal cancer. Cancer Prevention Research. 2021,48(03):229 -233.
” width=”600″> >
-End-
“Forward spread, spread health“< /p>
“
“ If you like it, reward a small ball”