Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods
Open Access

Effect of Radio Therapy in Skin Cancer Treatment

Michael Mathew^{* *}Correspondence: Michael Mathew, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA, Email:

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Description

High radiation doses are used in radiation therapy, commonly known as radiotherapy, to destroy cancer cells and reduce tumor size. Intense energy beams are used in this treatment to eradicate cancer cells. The most common usage of X-rays is in radiation therapy. However, there are other forms of radiation therapy, such as proton radiation. Radiation therapy is done precisely these days. They direct beams at the malignancy while shielding surrounding healthy tissues from radiation exposure. Radiation therapy can be administered externally or inside. Radiation therapy with an external beam is the most used type. A linear accelerator is a sizable device used in this treatment. The device directs high-energy beams at a specific location on the body.

The genetic material of cells is destroyed by radiation therapy. The genetic code regulates the growth and division of cells. Radiation therapy may cause damage to both cancerous and healthy cells. However, compared to cancer cells, healthy cells can recover themselves more readily. Radiation therapy aims to treat the cancer with the least amount of damage to healthy cells. In radiation therapy, high-energy photons or particles are utilized to destroy cancer cells. It is occasionally used to treat skin cancer that is not melanoma. The medical team will take into account the individual needs when determining how much radiation is administered and when. Moreover, they might get additional therapies.

Different causes are claimed for radiation therapy. Skin cancer other than melanoma is treated with external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may be used to eliminate cancer cells directly, eliminate cancer cells that remain after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer returning or reoccurring (adjuvant therapy), or alleviate pain or manage symptoms of advanced nonmelanoma skin cancer (palliative therapy).

When treating high-risk malignancies, external beam radiation therapy is most frequently utilized in place of surgery. When surgery is not an option or when treating a skin condition is difficult, it is employed. The skin surrounding the eyes, eyelid, ear, and tip of the nose are among the regions that can be treated with external beam radiation treatment. Typically, radiation therapy is administered every day for a few weeks. The size of the tumor is one of the variables that affect the radiation dose and treatment duration.

Skin cancer treated with radiation therapy only affects the treated region. It is safe to interact with other people following treatment because the radiation does not remain in the body. The medical staff will frequently monitor any negative effects that a person encounters. The treated area may grow tiny spidery blood vessels or seem lighter than the surrounding skin as late adverse effects, which manifest months or years after therapy. Permanent hair loss is common, but it only occurs in areas that had radiation treatment. Rarely, an ulcer may develop in the treated area that needs to be removed with a little procedure or a long-term dressing.

Certain forms of chemotherapy may result in peeling, reddening or darkening of the skin, dryness, and itching. A little rash or sunburn could occur quickly, this is known as photosensitivity. A few persons also have variations in skin pigmentation. The patient cuticles may cause itching, and the nails may become black and damaged. The skin near the radiation treatment site may turn red, blister, peel, or hurt if the patient have previously had radiation therapy. We refer to this as radiation recall. Possible symptoms of an allergic reaction to chemotherapy include burning feeling, hives, or an abrupt, severe rash.

Any kind of treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer may have side effects, but each patient's experience is unique. Many side effects affect some persons. Some have none at all, or very few. The medical staff does everything in its power to preserve healthy cells in the radiation therapy treatment area. However, harm to healthy cells can occur and could have unfavorable consequences. Radiation therapy side effects might occur at any point during, after, or a few days or weeks later. Occasionally, months or years after radiation treatment, late side effects appear. While some side effects are temporary or irreversible, the majority of the side effects may fades away on their own or can be remain same.