Does Radiotherapy Work

Yes radiotherapy does work but it depends upon a number of factors which includes the type of condition it is being used to cure and the severity of the condition. When most people ask does radiotherapy work they often want to know if it works for their particular condition. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy as it is called utilizes numerous forms of radiation safely in order to effectively treat conditions such as cancer and tumors. This form of treatment works because the radiation is used to damage the genetic material which is contained inside of the cancer cell which severely limits their ability to replicate. When the cells finally die the body discards them and cancer is eradicated from the body.

Possible side effects of radio therapy

The fact of the matter is that radiotherapy is an indiscriminate tool which kills even the unaffected cells and while they are able to replicate and repair themselves something which cancer cells cannot there are some undesired side effects which may crop up as a result. However, prior to radiotherapy a radiation oncologist will first write out a plan which helps to deliver the right amount of radiation to the affected area while at the same time shielding the others in order to protect healthy cells.

When radiotherapy is used for cancer the goal is to:

• Drastically cut the risk of cancer returning to your body after you undergo chemotherapy or surgery by strategically killing the cancer in the right places.
• Attempt to shrink the amount of cancer prior to surgery

In other cases the goal will be to reduce the overall symptoms which are caused by the tumors growing in order to improve overall quality of life. This type of radiation therapy is often referred to as palliative care or even palliation. The goal in this instance is to:

• Shrink down the tumors which are making it hard for you to go through your life normally for instance in cases such as lung tumors which cause shortness of breath.
• Reducing pain by shrinking the size of the tumor

Does radio therapy work or will it cause another cancer?

There are a number of patients who are concerned if the procedure will really work or if they will end up having to deal with yet another cancer. Developing a second type of tumor after radiation therapy is rather low but in most cases radiation therapy has been shown to cure cancer effectively. Doctors explain that the risk is small compared to the fact that many people can end up leading healthy and productive lives after treatment. But it is important that you discuss all the risks with your doctor and his team prior to treatment. If you are a smoker the best thing you can do to ensure you do not get another cancer is to immediately stop smoking.

Radio therapy has not been known to cause other forms of cancer especially since the technology has been perfected over the years. However, people who are concerned about this need to discuss things with their doctor.