RADIATION AND CANCER CELLSBy: Jack Urban
CANCER
One of the worst diseases
Various forms of it
Involves unregulated cell growth
RADIATION THERAPY
Uses high-energy radiation to: Shrink tumors Kill cancer cells
Types of radiation: X-Rays Gamma Rays Charged particles
HOW?
Outside the body from external beam radiation Inside the body from radioactive materials placed inside
the body
HOW DOES IT KILL?
Damages the cell’s DNA Can damage DNA directly Can create charged particles that damage the DNA Cells will then:
Stop dividing Die
HOW IT KILLS
Could take awhile to kill, like: Days Weeks Or even months
Certain tissues can be affected immediately Other tissues show later effects
THE BAD PART
Radiation also kills normal cells Pros:
Still kills cancer cells “Got to take the good with the bad”
Cons: Shortens life Less cells
MATERIALS
Computed Tomography Scanner Radiation Therapy Head Mask Linear Accelerator used for External-Beam Radiation
Therapy
RADIATION
Does the radiation make the patient radioactive? No Only radioactive when the patient has the radioactive
material in their body for the certain amount of time
SIDE EFFECTS
Diarrhea
Hair loss in treatment area
Mouth problems
Nausea and vomiting
SIDE EFFECTS
Sexual changes
Swelling
Trouble swallowing
Urinary or bladder problems
SOURCES
"About This Book." cancer.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. <http:/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/radiation-therapy-and-you/page1>.
"Radiation Therapy Principles." cancer.org. N.p., 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. <http:/http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/radiation/radiationtherapyprinciples/radiation-therapy-principles-how-does-radiation-work>.
"Radiation Therapy for Cancer." cancer.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. <http:/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopic
Top Related