How Radiation Therapy Works to Destroy Cancer Cells
Radiation therapy is a widely used treatment for malignant blood diseases and solid tumors. Administered by a team of expert hematologists and oncologists at a best hematology clinic or hematology center, this therapy targets cancer cells with high-energy radiation, causing DNA damage that stops their growth and replication.
Symptoms Indicating the Need for Radiation Therapy
Patients may require radiation therapy if they present with symptoms of various blood disorders or cancers, including:
- Persistent fatigue and weakness from anemia or iron deficiency anemia
- Swelling of lymph nodes or spleen associated with Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment or Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment
- Bone pain from myeloproliferative disorders or chronic myeloid leukemia
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding due to thrombocytopenia or coagulation disorders
Causes and Indications
Radiation therapy is often recommended for patients with:
- Leukemia treatment post-bone marrow transplant for leukemia
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment
- Bone marrow transplant for myeloma cases
- Refractory or relapsed malignant blood diseases
It is sometimes combined with CAR-T cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant for a multidisciplinary approach.
Procedure of Radiation Therapy
The standard steps in radiation therapy include:
- Initial evaluation by a hematology doctor or oncologist to determine the type, dose, and schedule.
- Planning with imaging techniques to target cancer cells precisely, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
- Delivery of high-energy radiation over multiple sessions in a controlled advanced hematology center.
- Monitoring for side effects and effectiveness, often alongside biological therapy for cancer or bone marrow donation when necessary.
- Follow-up care with coagulation tests and anemia treatment if required.
Benefits of Radiation Therapy
- Targets cancer cells precisely, preserving surrounding healthy tissues.
- Effective for both malignant blood diseases and solid tumors.
- Can complement bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, or CAR-T cell therapy.
- Reduces tumor size before surgery or other treatment.
- Provides palliative relief from chronic pain in advanced cancer patients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is radiation therapy painful?
No, radiation therapy is non-invasive and generally painless, though some patients may experience mild fatigue or skin irritation.
2. How long does the treatment last?
Treatment duration varies by cancer type and stage; it can range from a few days to several weeks, with each session lasting only minutes.
3. Can it be combined with bone marrow transplant?
Yes, many patients undergoing bone marrow transplant for leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma receive radiation therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
4. Are there long-term side effects?
Potential side effects depend on the targeted area and dose, but hematology doctors monitor for thrombocytopenia, anemia, or other complications.
About the Hematology Clinic
The best hematology clinic provides a comprehensive approach to blood disorder treatment, integrating bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, autologous transplant, and CAR-T cell therapy. Patients benefit from expert hematology doctors skilled in managing malignant and benign blood diseases, anemia treatment, coagulation disorders, myeloproliferative disorders, and immunodeficiency conditions, ensuring optimized care throughout the treatment journey.
