How does the patient know if the radiation worked?
Once radiation treatments are complete, the radiation oncologist will monitor the results of the therapy at regularly scheduled follow-up visits. During these checkups the doctor will examine the patient, note any changes in symptoms, and most likely order some lab tests and radiology studies (x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans) to see if the cancer has responded to treatment. Because radiation works by making cancer cells unable to effectively divide and grow, it is often impossible see the cells dying until they attempt to divide. The effects of radiation treatment on cancer can occur over weeks and months after treatment stops. Some types of cancers can also be measured in the blood with a “tumor marker”. This is a chemical substance that is either made by the tumor or produced by the body in response to the tumor. In some cases, blood tests can show if the tumor marker has decreased, indicating that the tumor has shrunk. You should talk with your doctor or nurse about how your
Related Questions
- What is the amount of radiation (Skin and as well as gonadal) received by a patient being exposed to a single intra oral periapical radiograph?
- What is the survival period of a anaplastic oligodendroglioma patient after total resection followed by radiation and chemotherapy?
- How does the patient know if the radiation worked?
