Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer is usually a palliative treatment that can be followed if a tumor is causing pain or bleeding. In such cases, radiation therapy is aimed at pain management or stopping any bleeding. Radiation therapy is also an option for treating symptoms resulting from metastases, such as pain caused by bone metastases.
Radiation therapy is a localized treatment that aims to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy cells as much as possible. Cancer cells cannot tolerate radiation well compared to healthy cells and have a lower rate of recovery. Healthy cells generally recover better.
Operation
The radiation comes from a radiation device (linear accelerator). The area to be treated is irradiated from the outside through the skin. The radiation therapist or radiation therapy technician ensures that the beam is accurately aimed and that surrounding healthy tissue remains as much as possible outside the area being irradiated. Radiation treatments for pancreatic cancer generally consist of one or more short-term radiation sessions. These do not require hospitalization.
Side effects
Radiation therapy damages not only cancer cells but also healthy cells in the irradiated area. This can lead to a number of side effects. Patients generally also experience fatigue during the radiation treatment period. Most symptoms usually disappear a few weeks after the end of treatment. However, some people notice that they feel more tired than before their illness long after their treatment. In the radiation therapy department, you will receive specific advice to minimize the side effects.
Chemoradiation
Chemoradiation is the simultaneous administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy enhances the effect of the radiation. The combined treatment is complex and more invasive than radiation alone. This treatment is given to patients with pancreatic cancer that is difficult to remove.
Radiation and sexuality
Many people wonder if they can safely have sex while undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. If you’re undergoing radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, this isn’t an obstacle to sexual contact. These treatments are not harmful to your partner.