Radiation therapy for Mesothelioma
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and to shrink tumors. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body that beams x-rays to the location of the mesothelioma. There are newer ways to deliver radiotherapy that minimize contact with other tissue. Intensity-modulated radation therapy (IMRT) is a type of three-dimensional therapy. A computer-driven machine delivers radiation as it moves around the patient. The machine shapes the beams, aims them from several angles, and adjusts the strength of the beams. IMRT is available at many hospitals and cancer treatment centers.
Brachytherapy, also called internal radiation therapy, involves putting chemicals that produce radiation directly into the site of the mesothelioma cancer. This is done by inserting a thin plastic tube into the chest or abdomen. However, it is not often used for mesothelioma treatment.
Mesotheliomas are not discrete solid tumors, but are usually spread out over a large area. Because of this, it is very difficult to deliver high-enough doses of radiation to kill the tumor without damaging surrounding organs. As a result, it is unclear whether radiation therapy is a successful method of treating mesothelioma. It has, however, been effective in killing remaining tumor cells after surgery has been performed.
Radiation therapy is also used as a palliative therapy to relieve symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and internal bleeding.
Radiation therapy has several side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Some of the side effects depend on where the mesothelioma is located. Although side effects are sometimes temporary, you should let your doctor know, since they often can be controlled. There are very effective medications to control nausea and vomiting.
Radiation therapy for Mesothelioma
As stated above radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation used can be x-rays, neutrons, protons, cobalt or other radiation sources. This treatment is especially used to treat mesothelioma patients whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Or, it may be given after surgery, to try to prevent the cancer coming back. To slow the cancer down and keep it under control, radiotherapy can be given combined with chemotherapy.
Treatment Planning
Radiotherapy treatment should be planned with great care. The doctor will decide the treatment area. The patient then goes to the radiation therapist, and lies under a special machine called a simulator which takes x-rays to define the treatment field. This is also called the treatment port, This is the exact place where the radiation is to be delivered. This is designed t to kill the most cancer cells and miss as much healthy body tissue as possible.
Molds or casts may be made for use later, to make sure you are always in the correct position. Marks are made on the skin of the patient during the planning session. These skin marks are used to line up the radiotherapy machine every day when the patient is treated. So it is important not to wash these marks off. Sometimes more permanent small marks something like tattoos are used. They can be removed later if necessary, with a laser. Based on the specifics of the cancer, the doctor decides exactly how much radiation to use.
Molds or casts may be made for use later, to make sure you are always in the correct position. Marks are made on the skin of the patient during the planning session. These skin marks are used to line up the radiotherapy machine every day when the patient is treated. So it is important not to wash these marks off. Sometimes more permanent small marks something like tattoos are used. They can be removed later if necessary, with a laser. Based on the specifics of the cancer, the doctor decides exactly how much radiation to use.
Actual Treatment Workings
A patient getting radiotherapy will be asked to wear clothing that is easy to take on and off, since the radiographer needs to see the marks defining the treatment area. The patient will probably wear a hospital gown.The radiographer will position the patient on the treatment table. The therapist will be very careful to put heavy shields over other areas of the body to prevent the radiation from reaching them. The radiation will come out of an arm of the machine, called a linear accelerator or linac. The position of the arm can be changed if needed The patient will have to lie very still for a few minutes while being treated. The therapist will leave the patient alone briefly while giving the therapy, although the therapist will be able to hear the patient.. The actual treatment only takes a few minutes. The patient does not have to hold his or her breath. Radiotherapy does not hurt and the patient is not able to feel it. The patient will hear noises from the x-ray machine. The entire session will probably last 15 to 30 minutes.
There are newer ways of delivering radiation which may be used depending on the facility.Some of these include three-dimension conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and helical tomotherapy. They are all designed to deliver more radiation to the mesothelioma and less to surrounding and other tissue.
Radiotherapy does not make the patient radioactive. It is perfectly safe to be with other people, including children, throughout the course.
There are no randomized clinical trials available to prove the efficiency of radiation therapy in malignant mesothelioma and the role of radiation therapy in the curative treatment of the disease remains unclear. However several studies have suggested beneficial effect with use of radiation therapy in malignant mesothelioma. Radiotherapy has been found effective at controlling pain and fluid collection in the lungs or abdomen.
Anna L. Kaplan, M.D.
There are newer ways of delivering radiation which may be used depending on the facility.Some of these include three-dimension conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and helical tomotherapy. They are all designed to deliver more radiation to the mesothelioma and less to surrounding and other tissue.
Radiotherapy does not make the patient radioactive. It is perfectly safe to be with other people, including children, throughout the course.
There are no randomized clinical trials available to prove the efficiency of radiation therapy in malignant mesothelioma and the role of radiation therapy in the curative treatment of the disease remains unclear. However several studies have suggested beneficial effect with use of radiation therapy in malignant mesothelioma. Radiotherapy has been found effective at controlling pain and fluid collection in the lungs or abdomen.
Anna L. Kaplan, M.D.