Does my child need radiation therapy for cancer?
Depending on your child’s cancer type, stage, and location, we may use radiation therapy alone or combine it with surgery, chemotherapy, or both. Your doctors will let you know which treatment is best for your child. Not every child with cancer needs radiation therapy.
How can I prepare my child for radiation treatment?
The treatment team may also make molds, headrests, or other devices that help to position your child during your treatment. Imaging studies may also be performed during the simulation process to help plan how to direct the radiation during treatments.
Should children’s radiation exposure be low or high?
Children’s radiation exposure should be as low as possible because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults and they a longer life ahead of them.
What is pediatric radiation radiation therapy?
Pediatric Radiation Radiation therapy (also called radiation oncology) uses special kinds of energy waves or particles to fight cancer. Like surgery, radiation therapy is used in several ways depending on the type and location of the cancer. Certain levels of radiation work to destroy cancer cells or prevent cells from growing or reproducing.
Is there an age limit for radiotherapy?
Conclusion: Age of 90 years or older is not a limiting factor for radiation therapy.
How long do you have to stay away from kids after radiation?
However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant. Be sure to ask your treatment team what precautions you need to take.
Do you have to keep away from children when having radiotherapy?
The radiation doesn't travel very far from the treatment area. So it is usually safe to be with other people. However, as a precaution you will need to avoid very close contact with children and pregnant women for a time.
What is the most common side effect of radiation therapy in children?
Tiredness (fatigue) is the most common side effect of both chemotherapy and radiation. Even the most active kids are likely to find themselves exhausted and perhaps even a little "foggy-headed" during treatment — and possibly for a while afterward. This is normal.
Is radiation worse than chemo?
The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.
What is the success rate of radiation therapy?
When it comes to early stages of disease, patients very frequently do well with either brachytherapy or external beam radiation. Success rates of around 90% or higher can be achieved with either approach.
What comes first chemo or radiation?
Radiation generally starts after chemotherapy is done.
Is radiation therapy painful?
Does radiation therapy hurt? No, radiation therapy does not hurt while it is being given. But the side effects that people may get from radiation therapy can cause pain and discomfort.
How long does radiation therapy take?
How long does radiation therapy take? Each radiation therapy treatment takes about 10 minutes. Radiation therapy to try and cure cancer is usually delivered daily, Monday through Friday, for about five to eight weeks. Weekend breaks allow normal cells to recover.
What does radiation do to a child?
Children are at a greater risk than adults to develop cancer after being exposed to radiation. Increases in the rates of leukemias and thyroid cancers associated with childhood exposure to radiation from A-bomb explosions, nuclear power plant explosions, and medical procedures have been well documented.
How does radiation affect a child's development?
Bone growth may also be affected, especially with young children who are still having significant bone growth. Height stature and/or limbs may be shortened because of the effect of radiation. Skin changes. The skin may be more sensitive, reddened or irritated after having radiation.
What are the worst side effects of radiotherapy?
Treatment areas and possible side effectsPart of the body being treatedPossible side effectsBrainFatigue Hair loss Memory or concentration problems Nausea and vomiting Skin changes Headache Blurry visionBreastFatigue Hair loss Skin changes Swelling (edema) Tenderness5 more rows•Jan 11, 2022