Radiotherapy uses high-dose radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered externally using machines like linear accelerators, or internally by implanting radioactive materials near tumors. External radiotherapy does not require safety precautions after treatment, while internal radiotherapy emits radiation and requires precautions like minimizing contact time and using shielding. Radiotherapy can cause both acute side effects like nausea and late effects like fibrosis, so safety is important for healthcare workers providing care to these patients.

2. RADIOTHERAPY
AND
IT’S SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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3. OBJECTIVES:
• Definition of RT
• Treatment and types
• Side effects of RT
• Safety precautions

4. Definition:
Radiotherapy (also called Radiation therapy) is
a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill
cancer cells and shrink tumors.
• Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA within
cancer cell and destroying their ability to reproduce
• When the damaged cancer cells are destroyed by radiation,
the body naturally eliminates them.
• Normal cells can be affected by radiation , but they are able
to repair themselves.
• sometimes radiation therapy is the only treatment a patient
needs.
• Other times , it is combined with other treatments, like
surgery and chemotherapy.

5. Different types of ionizing radiation are used to treat cancer,
including electromagnetic radiation( ie, x-rays, gamma rays )
and particulate radiation ( alpha particles , electrons,
neutrons, protons.)
High energy x-rays (photons) are generated by an electric
machine, such as a linear accelerator.
Treatment :
Mainly Two types of Treatment Methods
1. External Radiation Therapy
2. Internal Radiation Therapy

6. External Radiation Therapy
• Also known as Teletherapy
• Radiation can be delivered externally
• Teletherapy (external beam radiation) is the most common
form of radiation treatment delivery.
• In this technique , patient is exposed to radiation from a
megavoltage treatment machine.
• Eternal radiation is given by a trained medical specialist in a
designated area in a hospital or clinic
• Patient receiving external radiation therapy do not emit
radioactive material and do not require any safety
precautions before or after treatment.
• A Linear accelerator may be used to deliver different type of
treatment technique

7. Treatment Techniques are :
• Two – dimensional therapy
• Three – dimensional conformal therapy
• Intensity – modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Volumetric – modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
• Tomotherapy
• Image – guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

8. Internal Radiation Therapy:
• Also known as Brachytherapy
• Radiation can also be delivered as brachytherapy , which
means “Close” or internal radiation treatment.
• It consists of the implantation or insertion of radioactive
materials directly into the tumor or close proximity to the
tumor
• Direct delivery of radiation to the target with minimal
exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
• Brachytherapy is commonly used in combination with
external; radiation as a supplemental “boost” treatment , but
may also be used as primary or adjuvant therapy.
• Patient with internal radioactive materials that have been
implanted into tissue or body cavities or administered orally
or intravenously

9. • Patient receiving internal radiation therapy emit radioactive
material
• Personnel involved in radiation therapy must recognize
three factors to protect themselves : time , distance and
shielding
Nursing responsibilities include knowledge about:
• Radiation source being used
• Method of administration
• Start of treatment
• Length of treatment
• Prescribed nursing precautions

10. Sources of Radiation:
• Cobalt 60
• Cesium 137
• Iodine 131
• Iridium 192
• Radium 226
• Radon 222
• Strontium 90

11. External Radiation Therapy

12. Internal Radiation Therapy

13. Side Effects
Acute:
Nausea and vomiting
Skin desquamation
Late:
Alopecia
Lymphoedema
Pneumonitis
Cardiac problems
Intimal thickening of arteries and arterioles
Dilatation of capillaries and venules
Fibrosis
Ischemia
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Anorexia

14. Specific Precautions:
• Principles from the basis of a broader radiation safety
concept of ALARA ( as low as reasonably achievable)
• Time , distance, shielding are vital to health care
professional safety when caring for the person with a source
of internal radiation.
• Organize care to limit the time spent in direct contact with
the patient
• To minimize anxiety and confusion tell the patient the
reason for time and distance limitations before the
procedure
• Use shielding , if available , and do not deliver care without
wearing film badge indicating cumulative radiation exposure.
• Do not share film badges.

15. First few days after treatment:-
• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilets
• Use separate utensils and towels
• Drink plenty of water to flush the remaining radioactive
materials from the body
• Avoid sexual contact
• Try to avoid contacts with infants , children's , and pregnant
women.

16. Recapitulation:
 What is radiation therapy ?
 What are the types of radiation therapy ?
 What are the side effects of RT ?
 What are the safety precautions taking in RT ?
Assignment
Nursing management of patient under gone Radiation therapy

17. Bibliography:
 Lewis’s, Medical surgical nursing , second south asia
edition , Volume I, Elsevier , Page no: 271-276
 Linda s. Williams and Paula D. Hopper , Understanding
medical and surgical nursing, Fifth edition, Jaypee
Publishers, Page no: 185 - 187