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Radiation Therapy in Farmington: What You Need to Know

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Radiation Oncology: Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) | GW Medical  Faculty Associates

Radiation Therapy Farmington is a common treatment for cancer. It uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and is considering radiation therapy, it is important to know what to expect. In this article, we will discuss radiation therapy in Farmington and what you need to know.


What is Radiation Therapy Farmington:


Radiation Therapy Farmington is offered at many healthcare facilities in Farmington, including hospitals, clinics, and cancer centers. The treatment is usually given in daily sessions, Monday through Friday, for several weeks. Each session usually takes only a few minutes, although the entire appointment may take an hour or more to allow time for check-in, changing into a hospital gown, and positioning on the treatment table.


Before starting radiation therapy, your doctor will carefully plan your treatment. This includes taking images of the area to be treated, such as CT scans or MRIs, and using computer software to determine the best way to deliver the radiation to the cancer while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. The planning process may take several days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the case.


During each radiation therapy session, you will lie on a table while a machine called a linear accelerator delivers the radiation to the cancer site. The machine does not touch your body, and you will not feel anything during the treatment. You may hear clicking or buzzing sounds as the machine moves around you to deliver the radiation from different angles.


Radiation therapy can cause side effects, but they vary depending on the type of cancer being treated, the location of the cancer, and the dose of radiation. Common side effects include fatigue, skin irritation, and loss of appetite. These side effects usually go away after treatment ends, but your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend changes in diet or activity to manage them.


What We Should Know About The Radiation Therapy Farmington:


Radiation therapy can also cause long-term side effects, although they are less common. These may include damage to nearby organs, such as the heart or lungs, and an increased risk of developing a second cancer later in life. Your doctor will discuss these risks with you and explain how they can be minimized.


Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment for many types of cancer, but it is not appropriate for everyone. Your doctor will consider many factors, such as the size and location of the cancer, your age and general health, and any other medical conditions you may have, when deciding whether radiation therapy is right for you.


If you do receive radiation therapy, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. This includes attending all scheduled appointments, taking any medications as prescribed, and reporting any side effects or concerns to your doctor promptly. You should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to help your body recover from the treatment.


In conclusion, radiation therapy is an important treatment option for many types of cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and is considering radiation therapy, it is important to know what to expect. Radiation therapy is available at many healthcare facilities in Farmington, and your doctor will carefully plan your treatment to minimize side effects and maximize its effectiveness. By working closely with your doctor and following their instructions, you can help ensure the best possible outcome from radiation therapy.


Radiation Therapy Farmington How Its Work?


Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA inside the cancer cells, which makes it difficult for them to divide and grow. The radiation also damages normal cells in the area being treated, but these healthy cells are usually better able to repair themselves than the cancer cells.


Radiation therapy is delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator. This machine generates high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation that are directed at the cancer site. The radiation is delivered in carefully calculated doses to ensure that the cancer cells receive enough radiation to be destroyed while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue.


Before starting radiation therapy, your doctor will carefully plan your treatment. This planning process may involve taking images of the area to be treated, such as CT scans or MRIs, and using computer software to determine the best way to deliver the radiation to the cancer while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. The planning process may take several days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the case.


During each radiation therapy session, you will lie on a table while the linear accelerator delivers the radiation to the cancer site. The machine does not touch your body, and you will not feel anything during the treatment. The radiation may be delivered from different angles to ensure that the cancer receives the necessary dose while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.


What to Expect from Radiation Therapy Treatment | UPMC


The length of a radiation therapy course depends on several factors, such as the type and stage of cancer being treated, the location of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. Radiation therapy is usually given in daily sessions, Monday through Friday, for several weeks. Each session usually takes only a few minutes, although the entire appointment may take an hour or more to allow time for check-in, changing into a hospital gown, and positioning on the treatment table.


Radiation therapy can cause side effects, which may include fatigue, skin irritation, and loss of appetite. These side effects usually go away after treatment ends, but your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend changes in diet or activity to manage them. More serious side effects, such as damage to nearby organs or an increased risk of developing a second cancer, are less common but can occur.


Conlcusion:


The effectiveness of radiation therapy depends on many factors, such as the type and stage of cancer being treated, the location of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. Radiation therapy is often used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, to increase its effectiveness.


In conclusion, radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment for many types of cancer. It works by damaging the DNA inside the cancer cells, which makes it difficult for them to divide and grow. Radiation therapy is delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator, and each session usually takes only a few minutes. While radiation therapy can cause side effects, these are usually temporary and can be managed with medications or changes in diet or activity. If you are considering radiation therapy, talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you and what to expect during and after treatment.


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