放射治疗处理过程
This page contains information and frequently asked questions on the Radiation Therapy treatment process. While this information will not necessarily correspond to the exact process adopted by an individual hospital, we hope it will provide general background information and an indication of a typical treatment process.
什么是放射治疗？
Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer with radiation. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the nature of your cancer. The most commonly used method is called external beam therapy (from a machine outside the body), which directs radiation at your tumor.
放射治疗如何工作？
Although the radiation affects both cancer and normal cells, it has a greater effect on the cancer cells. Treatment aimed at cure will give the highest possible dose of radiation to the cancer area (within safe limits) to attempt to kill all the cancer cells. Sometimes smaller doses are used, where the aim is to reduce the size of a tumor and/or relieve symptoms.
谁会照顾我？
专家癌症医生被称为放射治疗bob体育网赌师或放射肿瘤学家。在本指南中，我们将把他/她称为辐射肿瘤科医生。辐射肿瘤科医生将计划并监督您的治疗，这将由放射治疗师进行。此外，根据您的治疗期间，该团队照顾您可能包括护士，医疗保健助理，专业护士，辅导员和营养师。
How is the treatment planned?
Every course of radiation therapy is designed to suit the particular needs of the person receiving it, so you will usually be asked to make a preliminary visit to the treatment center to have your course of treatment planned. The radiation oncologist and radiation therapists will do this (in conjunction with x-rays and scans, using a machine called a simulator). Your skin will be marked with coloured pens to define where you will have your treatment. In addition, some minute permanent marks will be made using a special dye and a tiny pin prick.
These marks will enable the radiation therapists to identify exactly the right area at every treatment session. If a head shell has been made for you the guidance marks will be put on the shell rather than on your skin.
如果您对口腔和/或咽喉疗法进行放射疗法，您需要在此阶段需要牙科评估，因为在开始放疗疗法之前可能需要一些牙科治疗。
快速链接
做I have to stay in hospital?
If you are able to travel to the hospital for treatment there is usually no need for you to be admitted during the course. Most people are treated as outpatients, but your radiation oncologist will tell you if it would be better for you to be admitted.
Will I have any tests during treatment?
During your course of treatment, you may need to have occasional blood test and/or urine test, depending on the part of your body being treated. Some people also have X-rays and/or scans during their course of treatment, which is part of the routine and nothing to worry about.
Are there particular things I should or should not do during my course of treatment?
尽可能在整个治疗过程中，试图引导正常的生活 - 试着将放射治疗视为对您的日常生活中的中断而不是作为您一天中最重要的部分。但是，以下提示可能有助于：
如何给出放射治疗？
Radiation therapy is given using either a machine called a linear accelerator or, for some skin tumors, a superficial x-ray unit. To receive the radiation therapy, you will lie on a couch under the machine, and be asked to remain still during the actual treatment.
放射治疗会伤害吗？
不。治疗完全无痛。在给出时，不能看到或感受到辐射。
Will the treatment make me radioactive?
不，无论如何都没有可能。
How long will the course of treatment last?
Your radiation oncologist will tell you this once the appropriate treatment for you has been decided. A course can last for anything from a single treatment to five treatments a week for six weeks depending on a number of factors, e.g. the part of your body being treated and the aim of the treatment. Most treatments are carried out daily between Monday and Friday.
每个处理会话有多长?
This varies from machine to machine. Some machines operate at a faster rate than others, and it also depends on the plan worked out for you. The length of a treatment session can be anything from five minutes to fifteen minutes. Occasionally a session may take longer, but this will be explained on an individual basis. When you come for your first treatment your radiation therapist will tell you how long each session will take.
做
- 每天喝大量的液体治疗期间,e.g. tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, water or fizzy drinks (ideally sugar-free).
- 经常吃，试着保持均衡的饮食。如果你不喜欢大餐，请尝试一小而经常吃。如果有必要，营养师可以帮助为您筹集饮食。
- Wash, shower or bath as normal during treatment using a simple or baby soap taking care to pat dry the area being treated, rather than rubbing it.
做Not
- Drink spirits, eat spicy food or very hot or very cold food if you are having treatment to your mouth, neck or chest, but ask the radiographers if you would like more information.
- Expose the treated area to the sun during a radiation therapy treatment course, as the treated area will burn more easily and take some time to heal. In the future it is advisable always to apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
- 将乳膏或除臭剂放在处理的区域，因为这些可能会使皮肤反应恶化。
Am I likely to have any side effects?
Radiation therapy is a localized treatment, which means that any side effects will depend on the part of the body being treated. Although many people have few, if any, side effects, everyone reacts differently and during your treatment you may experience one or more of the following:
- 疾病：Depending on the part of your body being treated you may feel nauseous or be sick during your course of treatment. This does not happen to everyone. If you do feel sick, please tell your radiation therapist or nurse as it can be controlled by tablets or diet.
- Diarrhea:Again, depending on the part of your body being treated, you may experience some diarrhea. Please tell your radiation therapist or nurse if this happens to you as you may need diarrhoea-relieving medication.The dietitian will also be pleased to advise you and help you with an eating plan if necessary.
- Frequency when passing urine:如果您对下腹部/骨盆进行治疗，您可能会发现您经常通过尿液，并且可能会在这样做时经历不适。饮用额外的液体会有所帮助，但尽量避免饮酒，茶和咖啡，因为这些都可以刺激膀胱。如果发生这种情况，请告诉员工对待您，以便可以对任何感染测试您的尿液，然后可以用适当的药物治疗。
- Sore mouth and throat: This only happens if you are having treatment to this part of your body. If it is likely to be a problem your radiation therapist or nurse will explain how to look after your mouth and throat, or give you advice on chewing and swallowing difficulties. This only happens if you are having treatment to this area. If it is likely to be a problem, your radiation therapist or nurse will explain to you how to look after your mouth and throat during treatment.
- 脱发: Hair loss only occurs where treatment is given. For example you will only lose the hair on your head if your head is being treated, and if your chest is being treated, then you will only lose your chest hair. Whether or not it grows again will depend on how much radiation you have been given. Your oncologist will explain what this means for you. If your hair is expected to grow again, this should happen within a few months of the end of your treatment.
我可以继续工作吗？
如果您觉得您希望继续工作，只要您的辐射肿瘤学家理性，为什么不应该继续使用您正常的日常治疗过程。但是，请问您是否需要建议。
治疗完成后会发生什么？
The immediate side effects of the treatment described above will start to ease off within a week or two of the end of your course. Because of the way radiation therapy works, the full benefit of the course of treatment is not usually reached until some weeks after the last treatment session.
Will I have any check-ups after my treatment?
在治疗后，您将在第一次参加或被转介回您的家庭医生的医院中再次见到。第一次随访时间往往在课程完成后约4到6周，并且在您在治疗中心完成之前，将与您讨论此约会。然而，后续行动安排可能因人员和中心到中心而异。您的辐射肿瘤科医生将向您解释您的后续预约将如何安排。
Can radiation therapy cause permanent damage?
促进辐射疗法治疗并以最大的关注提供，但有时敏感部位受损。这是因为为了有效治疗癌症，有时需要使用高剂量的辐射，接近正bob体育网赌常组织可以承受的极限。肠道，膀胱和神经系统是特别敏感的，但身体的其他部分可以遭受长期变化。
If you are having radiation therapy aimed at killing your cancer cells, there is about a 5% possibility of side-effects which may seriously affect your lifestyle. However, it is important to balance this against the much higher potential risks to your life, from the cancer getting worse or recurring without the treatment. On the other hand, if you are having radiation therapy to shrink the tumour and/or relieve symptoms, then the much lower doses of radiation used are unlikely to cause any permanent damage.
如果放射治疗治疗包括GONADS（女性卵巢，男性睾丸），这将影响生育和激素功能。在治疗开始前与肿瘤科医生讨论这一点非常重要。
If you do have any difficulties at any time in the future which you feel may be connected with your radiation therapy, then do not hesitate to contact your oncologist or GP. If there are any special risks or problems in your case then your oncologist will discuss this with you. Bear in mind that you are being offered radiation therapy because the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.
Linear Accelerator Treatment Images
*全球癌症事实与bob体育网赌数据，第3版 - 美国癌症协会