Radiation is one of the options used in the treatment of certain diseases, particularly cancer. Men having prostate problems are often treated with radiation to kill the cancer cells. Radiation is also used in treating some types of breast cancer. While the procedure may succeed in destroying the cancerous cells, there are some problems and consequences arising from the use of high rays of radiation on the patient. There are also other inconveniences that radiation patients encounter.
What is Radiation Treatment?
Radiation treatment involves the exposure of the disease-affected areas of the body to radioactive substance; treatment is generally prescribed for some types of cancer. Ionizing radiation is used to treat some malignant cells. The process uses high-energy waves to treat the disease. The aim of radiation is to destroy the malignant cells of the affected areas in the body. This mode of treatment could cause some problems for the patient.
Fatigue
Some patients treated with radiation may experience general body fatigue. This problem is more dominant in patients who received radiation treatments for either breast cancer or prostate cancer. According to a report published online by the Clinical Cancer Research, the fatigue syndrome was associated with the activation of proinflammatory cytokine network.
Impotence
One of the more serious side effects of radiation is that it could result in impotence for the treated patient. Close to half of individuals treated with radiation therapies develop impotence. Although this may be less detrimental to patients who have passed their productive years, it may become a serious problem for younger patients. While radiation therapy may be used to treat prostate cancer through the destruction of cancer cells, it may also destroy the sexual lives of the treated patient. This problem could also ruin marriages.
Urinary Frequency
Treatment with high-energy rays used to destroy cancer cells through radiation therapies could also cause urinary problems such as frequent urination. Many patients treated with radiation experience the frequency-of-urination symptom, particularly men treated for a prostate condition. Any distortion or weakness of the urethra or bladder resulting from radiation can cause urination problems.
Prolonged Treatment Program
Other inconveniences may result from radiation treatment. One such inconvenience is the time factor. Radiation treatment is a prolonged process. Radiation therapy sessions differ according to the ailment and its severity. On the average one receiving radiation treatment for prostate cancer may need about 30 or more sessions. The treating physician will determine the exact number of sessions needed. The time element may be challenging to the patient in terms of transportation needs and cost.
Tags: treated with, treated with radiation, with radiation, cancer cells, prostate cancer, areas body, breast cancer
