RADIATION PROCEDURE ADVICE FOR PATIENTS

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If you want to download for free, scan
the QR code by any QR code scanner

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Compiled By
Dr Kanhu Charan Patro
MD, DNB (Radiation Oncology), MBA, PDCR, FAROI, FICRO, CEPC
(Brain Tumor Specialist)
drkcpatro@gmail.com
www.drkanhupatro.com
M +91 9160470564
RADIATION PROCEDURE COUNSELLING

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Preface
Radiation is a simple procedure. Almost all cancers require
radiation as part of treatment. Most patients have doubts and fears
about radiation. Here I explained the procedure details, pros and
cons in a simplified manner and organ wise. Usually they do pre
radiation preparation, mask preparation, CT scan, planning and it
takes 3 to 4 days, and they call for radiation. You can access the
book for free by scanning the provided QR code using a QR code
scanner app like Paytm, ensuring widespread accessibility to this
resource. This is my inaugural edition, presented in
straightforward, everyday language. This is for patient
counselling and pictures I have taken from google, I have no
copyright on this book and people can change accordingly. I
welcome your valuable suggestions for improvements. This book
is a heartfelt dedication to my dear parents. My future goals
include translating it into numerous other languages. Please don't
hesitate to reach out with any recommendations or corrections;
your input is greatly appreciated. It will also reduce the
counselling time of busy consultants.

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INDEX
SL Chapter Page
1 Radiation machine 4
2 Advice during brain tumor radiation 6
3 Advice during head and neck cancer radiation 9
4 Advice during lung cancer radiation 12
5 Advice during breast cancer radiation 15
6 Advice during abdominal cancer radiation 18
7 Advice during pelvic cancer radiation 21
8 Special radiation procedure 24
9 Advice during brachy radiation 25

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Know about radiation machines.
Radiotherapy is a simple procedure.
I will talk about the features.
Either may be external radiation
Or they will give by internal radiation.
External radiation is known as teletherapy.
Internal radiation is called brachytherapy.
External Radiation is simpler than X-Ray procedure. Brachytherapy
is a slightly invasive procedure.
You will be asked to sleep on a radiation machine.
Inside air-conditioned room and almost no pain.
Brachytherapy is a special procedure.
They may do in operation theatre.
External radiation treatment mostly takes 4-7 week.
Brachytherapy is usually carried out once a week.
Attendants are not allowed inside the machine.
For kids they may give short anesthesia medicine.
And this is all about radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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External radiation machine
Linear accelerator
Brachytherapy machine

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ADVICE DURING BRAIN TUMOR RADIATION
If you are a part of brain tumor radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
Doctors may add daily chemo tablets to radiation.
It needs weekly blood evaluation.
On the weekend there will be no radiation.
But continue the chemo medication.
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.

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There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration.
Avoid driving during radiation.
It prevents unfavorable situations
Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation
Do not skip regular seizure medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the skin as it increases the reaction.
Avoid haircuts during radiation.
Follow the doctor for the medication.
Gap during radiation
It is a hazardous situation.
Sometimes you may get a headache, that may worsen.
In extreme case you may require ICU admission

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Loss of hair and blackening of head during radiation
These are the most transient phenomenon.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.
Follow the discharge medication.
The doctor will call one month after radiation.
May advice for further medication
First visit after radiation
The doctor may ask for a CT/MRI scan.
And this is all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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ADVICE DURING HEAD AND NECK RADIATION
If you are a part of head and neck radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
Before radiation needs dental evaluation
Some teeth need extraction.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
They may add weekly chemo to radiation.
It needs weekly blood evaluation.
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.
There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration.

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Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation
Do not skip regular medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Tube feeding and tracheostomy option.
It may require radiation.
Mouth ulcer and skin reaction
It happens during radiation.
Swallowing problem and aspiration
ICU admission in rare situation
Avoid mouth wash with alcoholic solution.
Do frequently with soda salt solution.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the skin as it increases the reaction.
Wear a round neck tee shirt with radiation.
Do not apply cream and lotion.

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Do not cut your hair and beard during radiation.
Follow the doctor for the medication.
Chances are there for fungal infection.
White patches need medication.
Break during radiation.
It is a hazardous situation.
Less salivation and altered taste sensation.
These are the mostly late reaction.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.
Follow the discharge medication.
The doctor will call two months after radiation.
That is the time for response evaluation.
And this is all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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ADVICE DURING LUNG CANCER RADIATION
If you are a part of lung cancer radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.
There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration.
Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation

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Do not skip regular medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Doctor may add weekly chemo injection.
It needs weekly blood evaluation.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the skin as it increases the reaction.
Gap during radiation
It is a hazardous situation.
Blackening of skin during radiation
This is mostly a transient phenomenon.
Swallowing problem during later part of radiation
You may need simple medication.
Tube feeding may be required during radiation.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.
Follow the discharge medication.
You may require further chemo injection.
Please take medical oncology consultation

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You may get pneumonia type complication.
It is a very rare situation.
Cough and fever are the symptoms.
You may need some medication.
Visit after three months of radiation.
The doctor may ask for some investigation.
It is time to know the tumor situation.
Ask the doctor about the situation.
And this is all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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ADVICE DURING BREAST CANCER RADIATION
If you are a part of breast cancer radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
If you are having left sided cancer
The doctor will tell DIBH will be better.
DIBH will help to decrease dose to your heart.
Extra training and time will be in your cart.
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.

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There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration
Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation
Do not skip regular medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the radiation area as it increases reaction.
Gap during radiation
It is a hazardous situation.
Blackening of skin during radiation
This is mostly a transient phenomenon.
Sore throat during later part of radiation
You may need simple medication.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.

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Follow the discharge medication.
Take care of your skin reaction
Local steroid ointment is the prescription.
Avoid itching and rubbing on skin reaction.
Baby soap is the bathing solution.
You may get pneumonia type complication.
It is a very very rare situation.
Cough and fever are the symptom.
You may need some medication.
Do not forget the arm exercise after radiation.
This is for arm swelling prevention.
Doctor may prescribe long term medication.
It depends on your receptor situation.
Visit after three months of radiation.
Doctor may do some examination.
If needed he may ask more investigation
It is time to know the tumor situation.
Ask the doctor about the situation.

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And these are all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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ADVICE DURING ABDOMINAL RADIATION
If you are a part of abdominal radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
Doctor may add weekly chemo injection.
It needs weekly blood evaluation.
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.
There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration

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Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation
Do not skip regular medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the skin as it increases the reaction.
Gap during radiation
It is a hazardous situation.
Loose motion and vomiting sensation
Are common during radiation.
Avoid glucose and fruit juice during loose motion.
In extreme case you may require admission
Blackening of skin during radiation
This is mostly a transient phenomenon.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.
Follow the discharge medication.

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You may require further chemo injection.
Please take medical oncology consultation
It is time to know the tumor situation.
Ask the doctor about the situation.
And this is all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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ADVICE DURING PELVIC RADIATION
If you are a part of Pelvic radiation
Please take this suggestion
Doctor needs your cooperation.
Because it is not just a radiation
Weekly five days radiation
It is about fifteen minutes in duration.
First, they will do mask preparation.
Then needs planning CT scan.
After CT scan they will do radiation plan
Then they will call after plan evaluation
Doctor may add weekly chemo injection.
It needs weekly blood evaluation.
Nutrition is important during radiation.
Follow the chart which has been given by dietician.
There is no dietary restriction.
Eat according to your toleration.

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Avoid smoking and alcohol with radiation.
No need of multivitamin supplementation
Do not skip regular medication.
Maintain proper hydration.
Weekly meet the doctor during radiation
Avoid skin irritant solution.
Taking a bath is a regular option.
Do not rub the skin as it increases the reaction.
Gap during radiation
It is a hazardous situation.
Loose motion and vomiting sensation
Are common during radiation.
Avoid glucose and fruit juice during loose motion.
In extreme case you may require admission
Loss of hair and blackening of skin during radiation
These are the most transient phenomenon.
Slowly it will improve radiation reaction.
Follow the discharge medication.

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After that you need internal radiation
It is weekly and two to three fraction.
Anesthesia required during internal radiation.
Do not worry, it is also simple radiation.
Visit after three months of radiation.
Doctor may do the local examination.
It is time to know the tumor situation.
Ask the doctor about the situation.
And this is all during radiation.
We pray for your total tumor resolution.

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Special radiation procedure
Special procedures are SRS, SBRT, TBI, TSET.
These all need more time to set.
These are not for all.
Because these are meant to be special
These procedures are short duration.
Need some extra precaution.
Some of the procedures you need training.
Technicians will train you in the beginning.
They will make special masks.
All are very meticulous tasks.
All patients do not need this method.
Before I have already mentioned.

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Advice during brachy radiation
Brachytherapy is a special procedure.
I will tell you about this feature.
Some people need only this treatment
Some need it after external treatment.
Usually, the procedure is done under anesthesia.
Treatment is without anesthesia.
These procedures are short duration.
The doctor will do the needle or application.
Pre anesthesia checkup is necessary.
Worring about this is unnecessary.
These are all day care procedure.
All are mainly weekdays procedure