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Mesothelioma radiation therapy
By Eden Ali | June 15, 2007
Radiation therapy applies the use high-energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells. This type of radiation therapy is often used in mesothelioma treatment. This mesothelioma treatment is similar to getting a diagnostic x-ray except that this type stays for an extended time.
Brachytherapy involves the placing of radioactive material directly into the chest region in pleural mesothelioma or the abdomen region in the case of peritoneal mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main mesothelioma treatment in some mesothelioma patients, for those who can not undergo surgery because of health reasons.
Adjuvant radiation therapy can also be used as a supplement to surgery to kill minute deposits of cancer that cannot be viewed and eliminated during surgery.
Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to lighten the effects of symptoms of mesothelioma which includes shortness of breath, bleeding, difficulty in swallowing, and pain.
Radiotherapy is also usually used on sites of chest drain insertion in the case of pleural mesothelioma, so as to prevent further development of the cancer in the chest wall.
Fatigue and mild skin changes that looks like a sunburn may be side effects of radiation therapy. Often times these side effects are not permanent. Also the side effects of chemotherapy can be worsen by radiation in some mesothelioma patients.
Chest radiation therapy in pleural mesothelioma may bring about lung damage and lead to difficult breathing and even shortness of breath. Abdominal radiation therapy may bring about nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. It is advisable for mesothelioma patients to talk with a doctor if you have any of this side effects, because there are means to help control these symptoms.
Mesothelioma is generally firm and show a high level of resistance to curative treatment with radiotherapy alone. Radiation therapy when administered alone as a curative treatment has never been recorded to ameliorate survival from mesothelioma.
Topics: Mesothelioma treatment ways |