Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma

Radiation therapy utilizes x-rays to kill cancerous cells. External beam radiation therapy uses radiation delivered from outside the body that is focused on the cancer. These treatments are much like an extended diagnostic x-ray. Brachytherapy involves radioactive material being placed directly into the chest or the abdomen at the site of the mesothelioma. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment of mesothelioma in some patients, especially those whose general health is too poor to undergo surgery. Adjuvant radiation therapy can be used in addition to surgery to kill small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Palliative radiation therapy can also be used to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and difficulty swallowing.

Radiation therapy can have the side affects of fatigue and mild skin suburn like effects. Often these are temporary. Radiation may worsen the side effects of chemotherapy. Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. In the abdominal area, radiation therapy may cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting . If you are having any of these side effects of radiation therapy, contact your doctor for ways to control these side affects.