What is pediatric radiation therapy?
The word radiation is difficult to understand because it talks about something we cannot see. It is a process where energy is emitted in the form of particles or rays. Radiation can be used to make x-rays, create electricity, etc. And in this sense, pediatric radiation therapy is a type of treatment where radiation is used to treat children suffering from cancer.
Why is it performed?
Radiation therapy eliminates cancer cells by preventing them from growing and multiplying. The fewer cancer cells there are in a person’s body, the better he or she will be.
What does it consist of?
Cancer can be treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. Chemotherapy is a treatment where drugs are used to destroy cancer cells. The treatment will be different for each patient depending on the type of cancer they have.
Your doctor will make the decision as to whether or not radiation therapy is the best solution for your particular case.
Radiation therapy can be given in two different ways:
- External radiation therapy: radiation can be delivered directly to the outside of the patient’s body.
- Internal radiation therapy: doctors can place radioactive material directly into the tumor from inside the patient’s body.
- Both of the above: Some people receive both types of radiation therapy. However, internal radiation therapy is rarely used to treat the types of cancer that are common in children.
Preparing for pediatric radiation therapy
External radiation therapy uses a very large machine to direct the right amount of radiation to the tumor. The specialist will apply the radiation to a place where he/she will make a small mark that should not be cleaned or scrubbed because it will help identify the place where the radiation should be applied.
The machine will then be positioned to deliver the exact amount of radiation needed to destroy the cancer cells. During treatment, the person will need to lie very still.
People who receive external radiation therapy have sessions for several weeks at a time. The doses of radiation they receive are small, but strong enough to kill the cancer cells. However, the radiation can also damage healthy cells. Weekend breaks from radiation therapy are an opportunity for non-cancerous cells to recover and for new healthy cells to be born.
Care after the procedure
Radiation therapy does not hurt, and the radiation cannot be seen, smelled or felt. But this treatment may cause some temporary health problems. The type of adverse effects a patient has will depend on where the radiation is applied and the total dose received.
Side effects include the following:
- Hair loss.
- Skin rashes.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- diarrhea
Also, a person receiving radiation therapy may have soreness and discomfort in the mouth and throat, which can be treated with a type of mouthwash prescribed by the doctor. All of these side effects will improve as the effects of the radiation wear off.
It is normal for a child to be a little nervous when he or she first learns that he or she is to receive radiation therapy, so it is important for parents to remind your child that they will always be there to help. In addition, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals will answer any questions the patient or parents may have to help them feel more at ease with the treatment.
Finally, here are some tips that may help during treatment:
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Try to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids.
- Take some medication prescribed by the doctor to alleviate any side effects you may have.