Radiation Therapy
One of the reasons that
cancer is difficult to
treat is because unlike most diseases caused by a foreign invader such as a virus or bacterium, a tumor is literally made from the body�s own cells. This is also why the immune system does not attack cancer cells; they are not recognized as "foreign" pathogens
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Because of this,
treatment for cancer is usually surgical, or requires the use of toxic substances, which is why patients become so sick during their therapy.
Radiation - is one treatment often used. Radiation may be in the form of x-rays, electron beams, or gamma rays. Radiation therapy employs high doses of radiation in order to destroy cancerous cells by inflicting damage at the genetic level, thus making them unable to grow.
Of course, healthy cells are also damaged in the process; however, these are usually able to repair themselves. Nonetheless, the radiation must be very focused and contained in order to kill the cancer while minimizing the risk of harming the patient. This is why a simulation and planning is done prior to the actual treatment; during this process, the oncologist, and radiation therapy technician determine exactly where and how radiation should be applied.
One type of radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. This is a more invasive method that involves the insertion of a delivery device directly into or near the tumor. This device releases radiation over the course of several days or weeks.
The other method is called teletherapy. The oncologist (cancer specialist) identifies the location of the tumor. A focused beam of radiation is used to bombard the cancerous cells from the outside. This particular treatment is performed over a period of time - generally 5 to 6 times a week over 1 to 2 months.