How Radiation Therapy Helps With Cancer in Those Allergic to Chemotherapy

Health & Medical Blog

Cancer therapy often utilizes chemotherapy treatments as the most effective short- and long-term solution for cancerous tumors. However, some individuals may find that their bodies cannot tolerate this treatment due to allergies. These allergies can often derail a person's therapy without the help of sustained and effective radiation therapy. This treatment option is also one of the most effective ways to manage cancer and keep a person's body as healthy and stable as possible for their recovery needs.

Chemotherapy Allergies May Develop

Before most patients get chemotherapy for their cancer, they are carefully tested to ensure they have no allergies. This test exposes their skin to a handful of different elements that trigger some allergic reactions in people, such as platinum salts and taxanes. These critical ingredients help fight cancer tumors and are common in just about any chemotherapy treatment method.

Unfortunately, those who develop allergies to these substances may end up unable to get this type of treatment or need an alternative that may help them fight off their cancerous tumors. Thankfully, a large number of different care methods are available to suit these needs. And radiation therapy is one of the most effective and popular ways of treating cancer tumors and keeping a patient healthy from them.

Ways Radiation Therapy for Cancer May Help

Radiation therapy is a method commonly used when chemotherapy or surgery is not available. Those who are allergic to the ingredients in chemotherapy care may find that radiation treatment serves as a suitable alternative because it doesn't cause the same reactions. Though it does take days or longer for this therapy to kill tumors, it can be a powerful way to halt cancer in the absence of chemotherapy.

Before treatment, physicians will choose a therapy that suits a person's needs. For example, external beam radiation therapy is appropriate for smaller tumors because it is more localized and more potent to spreading cancer. However, internal radiation therapy is also available for more widespread issues. This therapy is carefully administered to avoid spreading tumors even further.

And during a person's treatment, their recovery is carefully monitored by their doctor to ensure that they don't experience any setbacks. The radiation intensity will often be adjusted to meet a person's needs, such as upping the doses if the tumors don't react or decreasing their severity if they experience any discomfort from radiation, such as nausea or other non-serious side effects.

Talk to a doctor to find out if you need radiation treatment for cancer.

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29 January 2021

Tips for Living a Great Life with Chronic Illness

I was always very healthy throughout my childhood, but when I became a teenager, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Thankfully, I had the support of my loving family to help keep me upbeat during a time that could have led to me experiencing the depression that some do after they first learn they will have an illness for life. I am very grateful for the advice I have gotten throughout my life, so I decided to create a blog where I can share all of the advice that has helped me live a happy, healthy life, despite having a chronic illness. Since I am on a medication that suppresses my immune system, I have also studied up on many other illnesses and tips for avoiding them and treating them. I plan to post health tips for people of a variety of ages and suffering with various illnesses!