What is the problem with radiation therapy?

The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.

What is the main danger when treating cancer with radiotherapy?

As well as killing cancer cells, radiotherapy can damage some healthy cells in the area being treated. This can cause some side effects, such as: sore, red skin. feeling tired.

What is life expectancy after radiation therapy?

Median follow-up time for this report was 41 months (range=14.6-59.0). Following treatment with stereotactic radiation, more than eight in ten patients (84\%) survived at least 1 year, and four in ten (43\%) survived 5 years or longer. The median overall survival (OS) time was 42.3 months.

What are the three main adverse effects of radiotherapy?

Treatment Areas and Possible Side Effects

• Fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Skin changes.
• Headache.
• Blurry vision.

Do I need radiation therapy with other cancer treatments?

But, most often, you will have radiation therapy with other cancer treatments, such as surgery , chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Radiation therapy may be given before, during, or after these other treatments to improve the chances that treatment will work.

How does radiation therapy kill cancer cells?

Radiation therapy and cell death. Radiation therapy can kill cancer cells by a variety of mechanisms. The main goal of radiation therapy is to deprive cancer cells of their multiplication potential and eventually kill the cancer cells. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing and die.

What happens if you miss radiation therapy sessions during cancer treatment?

Patients who miss radiation therapy sessions during cancer treatment have an increased risk of their disease returning, even if they eventually complete their course of radiation treatment, according to a new study.

How has radiation treatment changed over the last 100 years?

Over the last 100 years, ongoing advances in the techniques of radiation treatment and progress made in understanding the biology of cancer cell responses to radiation will endeavor to increase the survival and reduce treatment side effects for cancer patients.