Lecture 9 - Radiation Flashcards
Lecture 9:
What is radiation Therapy?
High energy rays or particles used to kill cells
- 50% cancer survivors receive Radiation
Lecture 9:
What are 4 examples of Radiation Therapy?
- which are most common? Rays vs particles
X-Rays & Gamma Rays = most common
Electrons & Protons = particles & less common
Lecture 9:
How does Radiation Therapy work?
Breaks strands of DNA in a cell to prevent cells from dividing
- localized to specific cancer site & cant differentiate between healthy & cancer cells
Lecture 9:
3 reasons RT is given & when?
1.) Primary Treatment = front line (main option) treatment when tumour is inoperable
2.) Neo-Adjuvant Treatment = prior to surgery to shrink tumour
3.) Adjuvant - after surgery to kill left over regional cancer cells
Lecture 9:
When discussing types of RT, what are 2 types of Brachytherapy Radiation?
Brachytherapy that may be interstitial or intracavitary
Lecture 9:
When discussing types of RT, what is External Beam Radiation Simulation?
The area to be radiated is pinpointed using imaging to form the “treatment filed”
- molds & casts then made to keep body stable in machine so rays are accurately directed into tumour
Lecture 9:
When discussing External Beam Radiation, what is the Linear Accelerator machine used for?
Used to make marks on the body with ink to form landmarks for rays
Lecture 9:
When is RT usually receive & for how long?
Treatment typically received on the 5 weekdays with weekends off, and usually do this for 5-8weeks
Lecture 9:
When discussing external beam radiation, what is Brachytherapy-Interstitial?
RT delivered from an inside source typically through a radioactive material pleased near or into the tumour
*often used in prostate cancer
Lecture 9:
When discussing external beam radiation, what is Brachytherapy-Intercavitary?
Radiation source placed in a body cavity (eg; uterus) & can be high or low dose
- high dose = left in for a few minutes & low dose = left in for 1-7days
Lecture 9:
What are some side effects of Radiation Therapy & two categories of effects?
Effects vary considerably from person to person but generally not as bad as chemo effects
- effects are divided into early or late effects
Lecture 9:
What are Early Effects of Radiation Therapy?
Occur during or shortly after treatment
- include; fatigue, skin changes, & loss of appetite
Lecture 9:
When discussing earl;y side effects of RT, what is the effect of Fatigue?
Physical, mental & emotional tiredness that often interferes with daily activities
- caused by stress, sleep disruptions, & effect of radiation
- increases over course of RT
Lecture 9:
What % of patients report fatigue during RT vs months after RT?
78-89% patients report fatigue during treatment & 30% report it months after
Lecture 9:
What impact does fatigue have on physical activity?
Cancer related fatigue may be related to reconditioning & PA may improve fatigue in breast & prostate cancer survivors
Lecture 9:
Does Fatigue act as a barrier to Physical Activity?
Fatigue wasn’t one of the top 3 reported exercise barriers in a study
- excercise can reduce fatigue but fatigue reduces lilliehoood of exercise, so maybe do activities like walking or enjoyable light intensity things
Lecture 9:
When discussing side effects of RT, What are some Skin Problems that occur?
- influence on PA?
Skin treatment area can look red, irritated, or sunburned
- improves after treatment but some long-term effects may occur
- Can impact PA as sweat may irritate the skin & cause pain or may feel embarrassed of skin issue
Lecture 9:
When discussing side effects of RT, What are some Appetite Changes that occur?
Appetite changes typically occur if RT received in head, neck or GI tract which may cause problems like diarrhea or swallowing challenges
- impacts PA as not enough energy as not eating as much
Lecture 9:
What are Late Effects of Radiation Therapy?
Take months or years to develop & are permanent effects from RT
Lecture 9:
What are some examples of Late Effects when receiving RT to the Abdomen/Pelvis?
- chronic diarrhea
- sexual dysfunction
- bladder dysfunction
Lecture 9:
What are some examples of Late Effects when receiving RT to the Chest?
- what impact does this have on PA
- heart & lung damage
- scarring
*cause PA implications like; heart & lung damage, breathing troubles, & hard to exercise
