SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF CANCER IS POSSIBLE
For cancer patients, the chances of preserving life and maintaining its quality are constantly increasing.
The number of cancer cases is increasing throughout Europe and the United States. This is influenced by many factors, but one of them is the extending life of modern societies. 78 percent Amethyst Radiotherapy Center's patients are people over 60 years of age. Age is the main risk factor for cancer.
Although the statistics in the context of cancer are pessimistic, medicine does not stand still. The effectiveness of treatment increases significantly. This applies to both surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The latter currently uses computerized treatment planning systems, 3 and 4D imaging and increasingly technologically advanced equipment, which significantly increases precision and minimizes side effects of treatment.
Radiotherapy is now compared to surgery. But he doesn't need a scalpel. Instead of surgical instruments, it uses ionizing particles that kill cancer cells. Solutions are used that allow the most effective irradiation of the cancerous lesion while protecting healthy tissues as much as possible. Irradiation is concentrated only where necessary.
Age-appropriate treatment
Treatment of older patients carries significant limitations and requires extensive knowledge from the medical team. 90 percent oncological patients over 65 years of age have one comorbid disease, 30%. has more than five diseases.
Currently, oncology is implementing far-reaching individualization of treatment. It's like tailoring each therapy. The medical team must take into account the patient's general condition, comorbidities, and the type and advancement of the cancer. Not only the effect of the treatment itself is important, but also the patient's quality of life after the therapy, emphasize doctors from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center. The appropriate selection of therapy is the work of an entire team of specialists, not only oncologists, but also internal medicine physicians who assess the impact of treatment on comorbidities.
Increase the intensity of treatment
The latest research clearly indicates greater effectiveness of combined treatment. For example, high doses of radiation combined with simultaneous chemotherapy give a greater chance of cure. However, not every patient can undergo such intensive therapy, which is caused not only by poor health related to cancer, but also to other comorbidities. In such cases, many solutions are used that allow for safe intensification of treatment.
When the patient's health condition precludes the use of chemotherapy, a good solution is to increase the dose of irradiation. Hyperfractionation is used, during which the patient is irradiated twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
Immunotherapy is also increasingly supporting treatment. Thanks to the use of appropriate drugs, the patient's immune system is activated to fight cancer. The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center conducts clinical tests of drugs that affect the immune system.
Many options for effective therapies
Today, within radiotherapy itself, we have a large variety of methods that can be used. Classic radiotherapy (so-called teleradiotherapy - irradiation takes place from a certain distance using an accelerator) is supplemented or completely replaced by brachytherapy (an irradiation method when the radiation source is located directly in the tumor lesion itself or in its immediate vicinity).
Good therapeutic effects can be achieved by combining teleradiotherapy and brachytherapy, which allows for a significant increase in the radiation dose in the tumor itself or in the place after its removal. In a situation where there are contraindications to surgery to remove the tumor, the use of brachytherapy may provide comparable therapeutic effects.
Additional support
In the case of certain locations of cancer lesions, special attention and care are needed. For example, when planning radiotherapy in the head and neck area, it is necessary to protect critical organs such as the salivary glands, pharyngeal sphincter and oral cavity. Dry mouth is a common side symptom during radiotherapy. It is important to minimize these effects and ensure that the salivary glands return to proper functioning after completion of radiotherapy.
From the very beginning, when a patient comes to the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, he is under the care of a dietitian who gives him instructions on how to eat and take care of himself. During the entire treatment process, the patient's weight is monitored. If it falls, quick remedial steps are taken.
Another extremely important aspect of treatment is working with a psycho-oncologist. Most patients and their families require such support, and often pharmacological therapy. Studies have proven that low mood or depression worsen the results of cancer therapy.
- Observing our patients, we see how important good eating habits and support from family and medical staff are. If the patient takes care of himself, is involved in his therapy, it is easier for him to undergo it and he has a greater chance of recovery – points out Marta Urbańska-Gąsiorowska, a radiotherapist from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center.
Treatment despite the pandemic
Flexibility and quick adaptation to new situations have proven to be an important skill for oncology facilities. The pandemic has led to an even deeper individualization of treatment. Shorter fractionation schemes are often used, but they do not reduce the effectiveness of treatment. In some patients, contracting COVID-19 requires a temporary interruption of treatment, which is resumed after the virus has ended. So far, this concerned approximately 1 percent. patients of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center. Most of them were able to resume cancer therapy without any problems.
Everyday life during a pandemic requires great discipline from both medical staff and patients in the use of personal protective equipment and compliance with all epidemic safety regulations. But thanks to this, the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center has been working continuously throughout the months of the ongoing pandemic.
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