Full form of EBRT: External beam radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or beams to destroy cancer cells. The goal of external beam radiation therapy is to kill as many tumour cells as possible while minimising damage to surrounding tissues. Some common side effects of external beam radiation therapy include skin burns, hair loss, and fatigue.
Benefits of EBRT
There are several benefits to external beam radiation therapy:
-It causes less damage to surrounding tissue than other types of cancer treatments, which can lead to fewer side effects.
-The treatment is usually more effective than traditional surgery when it comes to removing tumours completely.
-External beam radiation therapy may be able to kill some hard-to-reach tumours.
However, external beam radiation therapy comes with its own set of risks:
-It can cause extreme pain and swelling throughout the body (especially around the head and neck), which may require medication or constant care for months after treatment has ended.
-In rare cases, external beam irradiation can also result in death due as a direct result of radiotherapy exposure; however, this incidence appears much lower than for any other form of conventional cancer treatment
How does it work?
External Beam Radiation Therapy works by delivering high-energy rays directly onto the cancer cell. These protons (atomic nuclei with a positive charge) knock out the cell’s DNA, which kills the cell. Damage done to nearby healthy tissue is usually limited because most treatments are delivered through small holes in the head or neck area known as catheterization rooms. However, some patients experience serious side effects from external beam radiation therapy that require them to be hospitalised for prolonged periods of time.
Some potential side effects associated with external beam radiation therapy include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss or thinning skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis . However , most side effects are mild and tolerable if they do not interfere with daily activities . Most patients will require between two and four treatments per week during their course of treatment.
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