Radiation therapy is required in the thoracic region at the time of spine tumours or cancer. This form of treatment prevents the cancer cells from spreading further. Other benefits of radiation therap.....
Radiation therapy is required in the thoracic region at the time of spine tumours or cancer. This form of treatment prevents the cancer cells from spreading further. Other benefits of radiation therapy include reduced chances of reoccurrence, less pain, no need for surgery, reduction of tumour masses, and easy removal of tumour cells.
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Steps to take before the surgery
Physical examination will be done to notice abnormalities in the thoracic spine. Further investigation will be done to identify the exact area (for radiation therapy) through X-rays, CT scans, and MRI. Imaging studies are done to detect the size and exact location of the spine tumour. After the scan, the radiologist will mark the portion to be treated with a felt tip marker pen.
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What happens during the treatment?
During the treatment, the patient will be required to lie down on the treatment table. Sometimes plastic moulds are used to help the patient sit in the correct position. The marks on your body will be aligned with a laser beam. Once the therapy starts, the machine will rotate around you to give the treatment from different angles. The procedure lasts for 15-20 minutes.
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After the procedure
Your doctor may prescribe certain medication to deal with the side effects of the treatment. Be gentle with your skin until all the signs of irritations are resolved.
Radiation therapy has revolutionised the world of medical procedures, but it has a few risks associated with it.
The advantages of Radiation therapy for thoracic region are:
- Minimally invasive procedure.
- Destroys any microscopic cells.
- Quick and painless procedure.
- Reduces risks of recurrence
The risks associated with Radiation therapy for thoracic region are:
There are some common symptoms associated with radiation therapy of thoracic spine such as skin irritation, sore throat, swallowing problems, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. These symptoms will affect the patient’s appetite and hunger. The patient is suggested to consult the doctor to take proper medications to deal with it.
The patient may also experience bowel irritation or obstruction, depending upon the exact area of treatment. If it is the pelvic spine, then this is expected to happen. Patients will feel increased pain in the bones, post radiation therapy.
