Radiations
Radiation therapy is used to treat tumors. Radiation therapy is used to destroy cancerous cells. Cancerous cells and tumors are sometimes not completely removed. Radiation can be used to remove these cells. Radiation therapy is used to treat tumors that are located in critical zones, which cannot be reached by surgery.
Radiation at high doses can damage or destroy the DNA in tumor cells. The cells will die when the DNA damage becomes permanent. Radiation not only destroys cancerous brain cells but also healthy ones. The radiations used are carefully chosen to cause the most damage to tumor cells while causing the least damage on healthy cells.
- Internal Radiation Therapy:
The neurologist inserts radioactive material inside or near the tumor. The body does not become radioactive. Also known as brachytherapy. This treatment is often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments. The radioactive seeds release a large dose of radiation in a small area.
- External Beam Therapy:
External beam therapy is the use of radiations directed from outside at the tumor to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy comes in many forms, including photon therapy.
Radiation treatment can have a number of side effects.
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Memory impairments
- Loss of Vision, etc.
