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The plan of treatment by radiotherapy
The plan of treatment by radiotherapy
Keep in mind that how you treat yourself to a treatment procedure affects the results, and more on how you carry it. You should not just passively to come every day and go to irradiation. Psychologically necessary to unite with your doctor to fight the tumor. So ask your doctor anything that you would like to learn more about radiation therapy. Remember the saying - who is warned - that is armed.
If you carefully examine how the effects of radiation on the tumor, as manifested side effects and how to cope with them, it can help you easily move the entire course of treatment. It is possible that the first meeting with a radiologist who spends radiation therapy, will be anxious for you. It is normal for any man.
Even if the doctor will explain everything in detail about the effect of radiation on the tumor and the rest of the body, you may have new questions and concerns. It is possible also that every day coming to the irradiation process can fall into a disappointment. Violated your lifestyle. Some people may get bored every day to see the doctors, nurses and cancer patients.
On the other hand, some women find this a useful and time. They are watching with interest to all treatments, with pleasure communicate with other patients and doctors. This, of course, very important and helps maintain a woman's spirit.
Plan a course of radiotherapy
Before you begin a course of radiotherapy, it is necessary to think carefully about his plan. This ensures that the maximum effect of radiation therapy with minimal side effects on other areas of the body. To do this, radiologist performs the layout of the breast in order to irradiate the desired area. To do this, apply a special x-ray equipment, which helps to determine exactly under what angles to direct beams of radiation. This is a very laborious process, and sometimes it can take nearly an hour.
The more accurate and more time will be spent on this first "pseudo session" of radiation, the easier it would take the remaining sessions of radiotherapy. Please note that during this session (the so-called simulation) you do not receive any treatment. Its purpose - preparing for future sessions of radiation.
What should be done prior to radiation therapy
Discuss the need for radiation therapy in your case with your doctor, assess the pros and cons, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this method. Ask your doctor anything that you would like to know. Sign the consent for treatment. Meet the medical staff.
What happens during a simulation session
Simulation - this is the first session of radiotherapy, which is not radiation, but only a preparation for it. The doctor carefully evaluates the area where you want to send a beam of radiation. You have to lie quietly, not moving - it will help to ensure the accuracy of the distribution of radiation to the area of breast cancer. Sometimes during the radiotherapy patient immobilization fixed by a special device. More pictures are made of the area of the breast to be irradiated. These pictures get into the computer, which is conducted the planning of the course of radiotherapy. After that, the area marked on the skin exposure.
After the simulation session
Once the simulation is completed, we calculate the required dose of radiation exposure and a plan for the next few days. At the same dose of radiation is calculated very carefully. This deals dosimetrist, who helps the radiologist to calculate the most appropriate dose and angle of the applied radiation. Once all the calculations are finished, begin a course of irradiation. Sometimes during the course of radiotherapy may take another simulation to adjust the dose and form of radiation.
The marking of the skin
Once calculated the required dose of radiation and calculated angles. Under which it will be given, radiologist carries the markings on the skin of the breast in order to identify the point of application of radiation. This is to ensure that every time a doctor can accurately direct the beam of radiation in the desired location. Labeling may be performed as a special marker, or with a special tattoo. Worry about that do not have such tattoo time passes. Marking with a marker may gradually wear out during the course of treatment, so it's important to watch closely the condition of such a marking.
The dose of radiation
The unit of radiation - it is happy or gray. In the case of radiation therapy used santigrei. Daily dose fraction is also called as each dose - is part of, the fraction of all prescribed doses of radiation.
Typically, during each patient receives 180-200 rad or santigrey:
During the course of the whole breast irradiation and / or lymph node usual dose of radiation over 5 weeks of 4500-5000 rad. Furthermore, in addition to that doctor may have delighted in 1000-2000 during the week to enhance the effect.
In some irradiated breast or internal radiation dose of 3400 rad of radiation during the week.
The total amount of radiation used in radiotherapy of breast cancer depends on such factors as: Size of the tumor, the purity of the edges of excised tumors, especially cancer, lymph node involvement, type of surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy), type of exposure (external or internal radiation).
In radiotherapy of metastases dose of radiation also depends on other factors. The most common dose of 3000 rad is appointed within two weeks or 3750-4000 rad in three weeks.
