Radiotherapy types , and precautions in briefly

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