EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY - TREATMENT

EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY

Treatment Process - How long will treatment take everyday?

Normally there is a 10 to 15 minute slot per patient and they try to adhere to appointment times. However, patients in need of emergency treatment will take priority. In the rare event of power failures, which is not rare anymore in SOUTH AFRICA…? It’s a daily routine to be without power without any notification… They will try and contact you before you leave home… But, these circumstances are beyond anybody’s control and may lead to delays in appointment times…

What happens during treatment?

From Blogger Pictures

You are set up in the treatment position on the treatment bed and your reference marks checked.
Once the radiotherapists are satisfied with your correct position; they will leave the room and operate the machine from the control room. They will be able to monitor you on closed circuit TV screens and speak to you if necessary via an intercom.
Radiotherapy is NOT PAINFUL and you won’t feel anything during treatment. You will probably hear the machine as it switches on and off…

PLEASE NOTE:

It is extremely important that you lie perfectly still during the treatment in order for the radiation to be delivered optimally…

Managing Side Effects of Radiotherapy and General Information

Should you experience pain, it can always be controlled effectively by the use of analgesics, which will be prescribed by your oncologist. PLEASE if you have pain, take your medication regularly and remember your emotions will fluctuate from day to day…

Skin and Hair

I experienced hair loss only on a previous radiotherapy treatment and only because my scalp was in the immediate treatment area. It was only temporary…
However, the degree of hair loss and re-growth will depend on the radiation dose to the scalp.

IMPORTANT: Hair loss will only be in the treatment area.

This time I experienced / developed a skin reaction (maybe my porphyria acting up) I developed a redness of the skin in the treated area, resembling sunburn. It itched like crazy and it was very, very sensitive. I washed the affected area gently, and I only showered using a mild unperfumed soap.
They suggested if it gets worse (like forming blisters) that the itchy skin may be soothed by applying cornstarch (Maizena) or unscented baby powder. Your oncologist could also prescribe some commercially available creams, which have been formulated for skin affected by radiation. Never use any products that haven’t been approved by your oncologist or radiotherapist. Because it might aggravate radiation induced skin reactions… Should you skin be moist, stop using baby powder and cornstarch and notify your doctor of this development.

The Abdominal area

The most common side effect of radiotherapy to the abdomen is nausea and or vomiting. I encountered nausea the 2nd time around and I think it’s my porphyria affecting me.
Diarrhea is also common but I didn’t encounter a problem there only the TIREDNESS which is a very common side effect.

AFTER COMPLETION OF TREATMENT

Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor your progress after completing treatment. Your doctor will want to see you at regular intervals over the next few years – usually every 3 to 4 months for the first year, then 6-monthly and finally annually. The purpose being to check for recurrence of disease as well as your overall wellbeing…
Always keep all your X-rays in a safe place and bring them with to each follow-up.
They may be needed for comparison with any new investigations that your doctor deems necessary…