Prepared By : Miss. Sana’a AL-Sulami Teacher Assistant

 Definition of radiation therapy.  What is the External Radiation Therapy.  Uses of Radiation Therapy.  Complications of Radiation Therapy.  Radiation Dosage.  Nursing Management in Radiation Therapy.  Implementation of radiation therapy.

 In radiation therapy, ionizing radiation is used to interrupt cellular growth.  More than half of patients with cancer receive a form of radiation therapy at some point during treatment.  Radiation may be used to cure the cancer, thyroid carcinomas, localized cancers of the head and neck, and cancers of the uterine cervix.

 Uses of Radiation Therapy:  Control malignant disease when a tumor cannot be removed surgically  It can be used prophylactically to prevent leukemic infiltration to the brain or spinal cord.

 About 60 % of all cancer patients are treated with some form of external radiation therapy.  This treatment delivers X-rays or gamma rays directly to the cancer site.  It is effects are local because only the area being treated experiences direct effects.

 Complication of Radiation Therapy:  Anemia  Leukopenia  Thrompocytopenia.  The patient at increased risk for infection and bleeding until blood cell counts return to normal.  Headache  Alopecia  Altered skin integrity

 The radiation dosage is dependent on the  Sensitivity of the target tissues to radiation.  Tumor size.  Stage and location of the tumor.  Patient’s size.  The lethal tumor dose is defined as that dose that will eradicate 95% of the tumor yet preserve normal tissue.

 The total radiation dose is delivered over several weeks to allow healthy tissue to repair and to achieve greater cell kill by exposing more cells to the radiation as they begin active cell division.

 The patient receiving radiation therapy and the family often have questions and concerns about its safety.  Answer questions and allay fears about the effects of radiation on others, on the tumor, and on the patient’s normal tissues and organs.

 The nurse can explain the procedure for delivering radiation.  Describe the equipment, the duration of the procedure (often minutes only),  Immobilize the patient during the procedure,  Assess of sensations, including pain, during the procedure.

 Explain the treatment to the patient and his family Review the treatment goals, and discuss the range of potential adverse effects and interventions to minimize them  Discuss possible long-term complications and treatment issues.  Make sure the radiation oncology department has obtained informed consent

 Review the patient's clinical record for recent laboratory and imaging results, and alert the radiation oncology staff to any abnormalities.  Transport the patient to the radiation oncology Department

 The patient begins by undergoing treatment planning, in which the target area is mapped out on his body using a machine similar to the radiation therapy. The target area is marked by ink on his body.  The physician determine the duration and frequency of treatments, depending on  Patient's body size  Size of extent and location of cancer.  Treatment goals.

 The patient is positioned on the treatment table beneath the machine. Treatment last from a few seconds to a few minutes.  Reassure the patient that he don't feel anything.  After treatment is complete, the patient may return to home or to his room.

Protective Skin and Oral Mucosa :  The nurse assess the patient skin, nutritional status, general feeling of well- being.  The skin and oral mucosa are assessed frequently for changes (particularly if radiation therapy is directed to these areas).  The skin is protected from irritation, and the patient is instructed to avoid using ointments, lotions, or powders on the area.

 Gentle oral hygiene is essential to remove debris, prevent irritation, and promote healing.  If systemic symptoms, such as weakness and fatigue, occur, the patient may need assistance with activities of daily living and personal hygiene.

 record radiation precautions taken during treatment, interventions used and their effectiveness, grading of adverse effects.  Teaching given to the patient and his family and their response to it.