Articles
of Chemistry
Radiation
Therapy
Radiation therapy has been used as a
cancer treatment for over 100 years, beginning with the discovery of x-rays in
1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen. The field of radiation therapy began to grow in the
early 1900s primarily because of the groundbreaking work of the Nobel
Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie, who discovered the radioactive elements of
polonium and radium. This medical treatment and research just started in a new
era. Radium was used in various forms until the mid-1900s when cobalt and
cesium units began to be used. Medical Linear accelerators have been used as
well as radiation sources since the 1940s.
With the invention of Godfrey
Hounsfield computed tomography (CT) in 1971, three-dimensional planning became
a possibility and created a shift from 2D to 3D radiation delivery. The
emergence of new imaging technologies, including magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) in the 1970s and positron emission tomography (PET) in the 1980s, have
conceived of radiation therapy from 3-D conformal with intensity-modulated
radiation therapy (IMRT) and radiation therapy (IGRT ) TomoTherapy. These
advances allow radiation oncologists to better see and target tumors, which
have resulted in better treatment outcomes, more organ preservation and fewer
side effects.
Radiotherapy is a therapeutic
technique for cancer sufferers is quite popular. Radiotherapy has undergone a
radiation technique that developed from the moment it was first introduced to
date. Indonesia knows the existence of radiotherapy has been long enough with
the establishment of radiotherapy facilities in RSCM. Radiotherapy is literally
doing a cancer therapy or tumor with a radiation. The radiation utilized in
this therapy is ionizing radiation, which has the property of destructive force
against living cells. With this damaged cell power, ionizing radiation is used
to kill cancer cells (Sejatie, 2011).
Radiation therapy generally uses
X-ray power, but can also utilize the power of protons or other types of
energy. Radiation therapy works to damage cancer cells by destroying cell
genetic material that controls the growth and division of cancer cells.
Treating Different Types of Cancer
Most cancer patients will receive
radiation therapy as part of treatment. Radiotherapy is used by doctors to help
treat almost all cancers. Radiation therapy is also useful in treating several
types of benign tumors.
Here are some reasons why
radiotherapy is done:
·
As the only type of treatment for
cancer.
·
Combine with other types of treatments
such as chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells.
·
Stopping the growth of cancer cells that
remain after surgery (adjuvant therapy).
·
Minimize the size of cancer before
surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).
·
In advanced cancer, to alleviate
symptoms caused by cancer.
Types
of Radiotherapy Treatment
In general there are two types of
radiotherapy used for the treatment of cancer, namely:
·
External radiotherapy. External
radiotherapy is the most common type of radiotherapy. A machine will emit
radiation, usually a high-intensity X-ray. Radiation will be directed at the
affected part of the body. Each session usually takes about 10-30 minutes. You
will not feel pain or overheating during therapy.
·
Internal radiotherapy. There are two
ways internal radiotherapy is generally done, namely:
·
Implants. Generally implants will be
placed on the affected body part of the cancer or nearby. The size and shape of
the implants vary greatly with different radioactive materials. Mainly used for
cancer of the uterus, rectum, cervix, prostate, mouth and neck.
·
Liquid. By drinking liquids containing
radioactive iodine. For example for the treatment of thyroid cancer. The
content of radioactive iodine will be absorbed by the bloodstream, then
absorbed by either cancerous or normal thyroid cells. Iodine will then collect
and destroy cells in the thyroid.
·
In addition, there are several new
methods of radiotherapy used to fight cancer cells.
·
Imaging-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
radiotherapy, which allows more accurate radiation to lead to cancer cells.
·
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
(IMRT) Radiotherapy, which is especially useful for the treatment of head and neck
cancer.
·
Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) which
can be used by directing to small cancers.
·
Proton beam therapy or proton beam
therapy that can also minimize healthy tissue to be exposed to radiation thanks
to high accuracy to cancer alone.
·
Consider Risk of Side Effects
·
The side effects of radiotherapy depend
on which part of the body is exposed to radiation and how much intensity is
used. It may be that a person does not experience side effects, while others
experience some side effects at once.
·
Most side effects are temporary,
manageable, and most importantly will disappear once therapy is complete.
·
Head and neck. Radiotherapy is done
around the head and neck, possible side effects include dry mouth conditions,
thickened saliva, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, taste changes in food
consumed, nausea, mouth ulcers, and tooth decay.
·
Chest. Radiation therapy performed on
the chest can cause side effects such as cough, shortness of breath, and
difficulty swallowing.
·
Stomach. In the abdomen, side effects
that occur are usually nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
·
Pelvis. Side effects may include bladder
irritation, frequent urination, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction as a result of
radiation therapy performed around the pelvis.
·
In addition there are also common risks
complained after radiation therapy, including hair loss, skin irritation at the
location of therapy, and fatigue.
·
These effects will usually be reduced a
few days or weeks after treatment is completed. Rarely, radiotherapy also has a
long-term effect. For example treatment in the genitals or pelvis at risk of
causing permanent sterility.
Things
to Prepare
Before you undergo external
radiation radiation therapy, the medical team will provide guidance in a
planning process to ensure that radiation gets to the location of the body part
that needs it appropriately. Generally planning includes:
·
Radiation simulation. During the
simulation, the radiation therapy team will ask you to lie down in a position
that makes you comfortable. Pillows and barriers are used to ensure your
position does not change during therapy. Then the parts of your body that will
be treated will be marked.
·
The scanning plan. The radiation therapy
team will perform a scan with a computerized tomography tool or CT scan to
determine the area of the body that needs radiation.
After the planning process, the
radiotherapy team will decide on the type of radiation and dose that patients
will receive based on the type and stage of the cancer, the overall health of
the patient, and the reason for the radiotherapy. Proper radiotherapy focus and
dose are important to maximize the effects of radiation in destroying cancer
cells while minimizing adverse effects.
About
four out of ten cases of cancer were successfully cured using radiotherapy as
part of treatment. However, the results of radiotherapy depend on the type and
stage of cancer as well as any other treatment you receive.
Correct
treatment of cancer is very important to do by a trusted medical expert. Iringi
also by applying a healthy lifestyle, positive thinking and strive to remain
active during the healing process of cancer.
Source
Sejatie, R., 2011, Pemanfaatan Radiasi untuk Terapi Kanker (Radioterapi)] http://dchandra-atro.blogspot.com/2011/05/pemanfaatan-radiasi-untuk-terapi-kanker.html
What is the advantage of radiation ?
BalasHapusA. Field of Medicine
Hapus1) Sterilization of radiation.
Radiation in certain doses can kill microorganisms that can be used for sterilization of medical devices. Steritization by way of radiation has several advantages when compared with conventional sterilization (using chemicals), namely:
A) Sterilization of radiation is more perfect in killing microorganisms.
B) Sterilization of radiation leaves no chemical residue.
C) Because the first packet is disetrilkan then the tool can not be contaminated with bacteria again until the packaging is open. Unlike the conventional way, which is sterilized first packed, then in the process of packaging there is still the possibility of disease seeds.
2) Therapeutic tumor or cancer.
Different types of tumors or cancers can be treated with radiation. Actually, both normal cells and cancer cells can be damaged by radiation but cancer cells or tumors are more sensitive (more easily damaged). Therefore, cancer cells or tumors can be killed by direct radiation precisely in the cancer cells.
B. Field of agriculture.
1) The eradication of homosexuality with barren male techniques
Radiation can lead to biological effects, such as cabbage pests. In the laboratory is bred pest cabbage in the form of quite a lot. The pests are then irradiated so that the male insects become barren. After that the pest is released in the affected area of the pest. It is expected that there will be a marriage between local pests with barren male released. Eggs of such marriage will not hatch. Thus the reproduction of the pest is disrupted and will reduce the population.
2) Plant breeding
Plant breeding or seed formation can be done by using radiation. For example, rice breeding, rice seedlings are given radiation with varying doses, from the smallest dose that does not carry the effect to a lethal low dose. The irradiated seeds are then seeded and planted in groups according to the radiation dose size.
3) Food storage
We know that foodstuffs such as potatoes and onions if stored long will sprout. Radiation can inhibit the growth of such materials. So before the ingredients are stored in radiation with a certain dose so it will not bud, thus can be stored longer.
C. Field of Industry
1) Examination without damage.
Gamma-ray radiation can be used to check for defects in metals or welded joints, that is, by recovering the material. This technique is based on the nature that the thicker the material the radiation passes, the radiation intensity is continued to decrease, so from the image made can be seen whether the metal evenly or there are hollow parts inside. In the hollow section the film will be black,
2) Control the thickness of the material
The thickness of the product in the form of sheets, such as film paper or metal plates can be controlled by radiation. The principle is the same as above, that the intensity of radiation that is continued depends on the thickness of the material passed. The radiation detector is connected to the suppressor. If the sheet becomes thicker, the radiation intensity received by the detector will decrease and the tool mechanism will set a stronger emphasis so that the thickness can be maintained.
3) Preservation of ingredients
Radiation has also been widely used to preserve materials such as wood, art goods and others. Radiation can also improve the quality of textiles because it changes the fiber structure so that the stronger or better quality of color absorption. Various types of food can also be preserved with a safe dose so that it can be stored longer.
If a person has had cancer, will the chance of getting another type of cancer increase?
BalasHapusHere are nine risk factors that are shown to cause cancer by Cancer: Prevention and Politics:
Hapus1. Age. Most cancers attack over the age of 45 years. Not that you are immune to age under it, but this means that the older you are, the more you have to improve the factors that can harm your body health.
2. Bad habits: smoking (increasing the risk of lung cancer), excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to cancer, using illegal drugs also play a role in some cancers.
3. Geographical location. Industrialized countries have a higher risk of certain cancers than developing countries. However, it is believed that environmental factors such as lifestyle, culture, diet, water, and air quality play a role in causing cancer with respect to geographical areas.
4. Diet. High fat intake is associated with breast, colon, ovarian, kidney, lung, and endometrial cancers; Low fiber intake is associated with higher risk of colon cancer; Increased phytoestrogen intake may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
5. High levels of estrogen can be a sign of increased risk of reproductive cancers, such as breast and endometrium.
6. Lack of exercise. The time spent mostly on the seats is associated with an increased risk of developing various cancers. Fortunately, being more active is an improvement that can be easily done by most people.
7. Genetics. Most people think that genetics is a major risk factor for cancer, but family history and DNA are just one factor. New research suggests that lifestyle and diet may play a role in the change of cancer genes. So, this factor can still be managed.
8. Earnings. Low incomes are associated with higher risk of gastric cancer, lung cancer (in men), cervical cancer (in women), and cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus; While higher incomes were associated with a higher risk of skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer (in men). Who would have thought that being a middle class was a lucky thing?
9. Education. Lower levels of education are associated with a higher risk of cancer and are less likely to have access to cancer prevention information. You do not have to go back to school to reduce this risk factor. Researchers believe that many educated people are only more likely to follow the health news that leads to healthy lifestyle choices.
What are the benefits of radioactive in everyday life?
BalasHapusThe use of isotopic radiacs is;
HapusUsefulness in medicine
The isotope Na-24 in Sodium Cloride (NaCl) is used to examine the circulation of blood in the human body. There is also Isotope I-131 which is used to see how the thyroid gum works in the thyroid gland. Not only that, there are also isotopes of Fe-59 that are used to see the speed of red blood cell production in a person's body.
Radioisotopes can also serve as a source of radiation that can be used for cancer therapy. Cancer therapy is done by using a co-60 radiosotopes.
Uses in biology
The isotope C-14 and also the O-17 isotope are currently used to observe the photosynthetic process in plants. In addition, Radioisotopes from Sodium and also Potassium are used in cell membrane permeability studies.
Usefulness in agriculture
Radiocytop also plays an important role in agriculture. Isotope P-32 is used to find out the appropriate way of fertilizing on certain plants. In addition, the isotope is also used to find out when the age of a good plant and ready to be given fertilizer.
In addition, radiation function of radioactive element is also useful for:
Eradicate pests by reducing the population of insects by making sterile male insects.
Getting superior seedlings
Preserving agricultural produce such as onions and radishes so as not to sprout when stored,
Usefulness in the field of archaeologists
For archaeologists, Radioisotopes of C-14 are used as a claim to know how old the fossils were. Age of soil, and rocks can also be known with the help of radioactive elements.
Usefulness in Chemistry
In the laboratory, radioisotopes are used in several chemical reactions. In an esterification reaction forming esters of carboxylic acids and alcohols. It is also used in photosynthetic reaction in the laboratory using radioisotope O-18.
In the field of Industry
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Rays of radiation are also very important in the world of industrial production. Radioisotope rays capable of penetrating solid metal and making black film plates are used to detect whether there are cracks and also to measure thickness in solid objects. Kongkritnya, radioisotopes used to:
Measure glass thickness
Testing the density of the object without damaging the object
Measure paper thickness
Keeping tin production in cans
Preserving wooden objects such as handicrafts
To measure the effectiveness of oil and additives on the machine
In the field of hydrology
Raadioisotopes are also used to see mud deposits in certain rivers and lakes. That way will be known when and dititik where to do deposition on a particular river or lake. In addition, utilization in the field of hydrology is useful for knowing the flow velocity of the river, as well as detecting whether there is a leak in the underground water pipe.