All Entries Tagged With: "radiation therapy"

The nasopharynx is the section of the throat that is located behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea or windpipe. The nostrils run from the nose to the nasopharynx and contain an opening on each side that leads to the ears. Nasopharyngeal cancer generally begins in the squamous cells that border the oropharynx which is the part of the throat that is located behind the mouth. Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the soft tissues of the nasopharynx. There are different stages of nasopharyngeal cancer therefore once a person has been diagnosed with this disease it is necessary for tests to be performed to determine which stage that person is at. By determining that it will be easier to determine what stages of nasopharyngeal cancer treatment is needed to correct  [...]

SRS or Stereotactic Radiosurgery – a form of radiation technique initiated at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute or UPCI accurately conveys huge radiation dosages to tumors effectually allaying pain among those patients where the cancer had metastasized to the spine. This was revealed by the researchers at UPCI who carried out the study; the results of which are due to be presented during the yearly meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology or ASTRO in Chicago during the present week. The study was helmed by the associate professor cum vice-chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dwight E. Heron, M.D., drew comparisons between the efficacy of single and several sessions SRS treatment in curbing the pain among patients. Dr. Heron believes that cancers could swiftly  [...]

Prostate Cancer Treatment that has metastasized (beyond the prostate) Conformal Radiotherapy (Computer-controlled Radical Radiotherapy) A form of external radiotherapy wherein metal obstructers are introduced in the shaft of the X-rays that makes them more pliable and aid in matching more accurately to the contours of the prostate. Usually employed radiotherapy employs an additional ‘strewn’ beam, hence has lesser precision and could affect adjacently placed normal tissues. Pros The treatment has greater accuracy as compared to normal radiotherapy translating to adjoining healthy tissues being lesser affected. Also this procedure has lesser side effects. IMRT or Intensity-modulated radiotherapy is the latest kind of conformal radiotherapy that could distribute varying dosages  [...]

A study that was lately presented during the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology in Chicago revealed that Proton beam therapy could be effectually administered to those men having prostate cancer and was observed to have negligible urinary and rectal side effects. Researchers aimed at ascertaining whether administering elevated radiation dosages using proton beam therapy could lead to early detrimental side effects to the urinary function within the GU or genitourinary system and the rectal functioning within the GI or gastrointestinal system. Proton therapy is quickly garnering immense popularity as a potent prostate cancer treatment, but it is fuzzy as to whether the long-standing results of proton therapy would surpass those attained by other treatment  [...]

Wilms’ Tumor is commonly treated using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy that depends on the staging and overall condition of the child. Surgery Surgery is the most prevalent form of treatment for Wilms’ tumor wherein the doctor might remove the cancerous growth employing one of the below stated procedures. Partial Nephrectomy – This procedure is conducted for removal of the cancer and a section of the kidney that is situated around it.  It usually is done in just rare cases when there is damage done to the other kidney or has previously been taken out. Simple Nephrectomy – This procedure involves the complete removal of the kidney. The other kidney would then take on the role of purifying the blood. Radical Nephrectomy – In this procedure there is total removal  [...]

Tests undertaken for examining the bone and soft tissue are employed in diagnosis and determining the staging of the Ewing family of tumors. A biopsy is usually conducted for diagnosing Ewing family of tumors. During the biopsy procedure, removal of the cells and tissues is done in order to be sent for microscopic analysis. The pathologist would analyse the sample to detect any symptoms of cancers. The experts namely, pathologist, radiation oncologist and surgeon would work in unison for charting out a plan on how to undertake the biopsy procedure. This is done to ensure that the biopsy incision would not affect the subsequent treatment involving surgical intervention for tumor removal and radiation therapy. When biopsy is conducted in the same location where the treatment would be carried  [...]

Leukemia is a form of cancer affecting the tissues which are responsible for the body’s blood formation that includes the bone marrow and the lymph system. During this condition, there is huge production of the anomalous white blood cells by the bone marrow to such an extent that at times it lends the blood a white cast. The normally functioning white blood cells are powerful infection-combatants. However, among individuals affected with leukemia the irregular white blood cells have a tendency of accumulating, hindering normal white blood cell production and impeding the body’s capacity to combat infection. Leukemia treatment is a multifarious approach wherein majority of the patients undergo chemotherapy, while others get treated with radiation therapy, BMT or bone marrow implant  [...]