Although there are three general types of accepted cancer treatments--surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy--there are many subcategories within each type that may be better suited to treating a particular kind of cancer. When discussing radiation therapy, one subtype involves using radiation from an electron accelerator, low-energy-transfer radiation, to kill cancer cells.
Cancer
According to the MedlinePlus website, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the body. While the immune system is normally efficient and destroys mutant cells before they spread, cells which slip between the proverbial cracks have a chance to develop into cancer. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, feelings of malaise and night sweating.
Electon Linear Accelerator Use
Electron linear accelerators are utilized in the performance of external radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses outside sources of radiation projected into the cancerous tissue. According to the National Cancer Institute, this stream of radiation produced via electron linear accelerators damages the genetic material of the cancer cells, rendering them unable to continue dividing.
Electron Linear Accelerator Procedures
According to the National Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic, the general procedure for using electron linear accelerators in treating cancer is as follows: the therapy is provided on an outpatient basis. During the treatment, the patient lies stationary on a table while the radiation is projected into his body for approximately 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Radiation therapy is continued until the cancer is forced into remission or until the goals of treatment are otherwise altered, such as when the treatment is proving ineffective.
Understanding Electron Radiation
According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation therapy is subdivided into two types, depending on the rate of energy transfer from the radiation itself. The type of radiation therapy used by electron linear accelerators is called low-energy-transfer (LET) treatment, which is the most common form of radiation therapy used to fight cancer. This is contrasted with high-energy forms of treatment, which are still considered experimental, being limited to only a few hospitals around the world. Thus, radiation therapy with electron linear accelerators is currently the best practice for administering radiation in cancer therapy.
Side Effects from Electron Linear Accelerator Treatment
Whatever the form of radiation therapy, there is always the possibility of side effects. One common side effect that occurs through the use of electron linear accelerators in cancer treatment is collateral damage, where the radiation damages surrounding healthy tissue in addition to killing cancerous cells. This collateral damage can result in effects such as nausea, fatigue, vomiting and irritation to the skin over the application site.
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