Radiation Therapy

Also known as:  Cancer Radiation Therapy;  Radiotherapy

Radiation Therapy is a branch of Radiology that involves the use of Radioactivity (ionizing radiation such as Gamma-Rays) or X-Rays as therapy.

Immune System

 Radiation Therapy is commonly employed as a sophisticated treatment for Cancer patients (in an attempt to kill the malignant tissues that are involved in cancer):

 Approximately 60% of Cancer patients receive Radiation Therapy.

 Although Radiation Therapy is designed to damage Cancer cells, it can also CAUSE secondary Cancers after the primary Cancer has been treated.

 Radiation Therapy (using Gamma-Rays) is often employed in the treatment of Bladder Cancer:

 Caution:  Persons treated with Radiation Therapy have a 76% rate of recurrence of Bladder Cancer following this treatment.

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Gamma-Rays are often employed as the modus operandi for Radiation Therapy.

 X-Rays are often employed as the modus operandi for Radiation Therapy.

Radioactive Isotopes

 Cobalt-60 is often employed as the modus operandi for delivering Radiation Therapy.

 Iodine-131 is often employed as the modus operandi for delivering Radiation Therapy.

Cardiovascular System

 Radiation Therapy may cause internal Bleeding (hemorrhaging).

Digestive System

 Abdominal Radiation Therapy may cause chronic, long-term Intestinal Permeability (due to the excessive generation of Free Radicals that occurs during Radiation Therapy).  ^[1]

 Radiation Therapy may kill the Villi (minute projections from the Intestinal Wall that are the primary site of absorption of nutrients).

Immune System

 Radiation Therapy may damage Bone Marrow (the X-Rays or Gamma-Rays emitted during Radiation Therapy cause lipid peroxidation in the Bone Marrow):  ^[2]

 Radiation Therapy may cause a decline in Vitamin C concentration in the Bone Marrow and causes the conversion of Vitamin C to its Dehydroascorbic Acid form in the Bone Marrow.  ^[3]

 Radiation Therapy may interfere with various aspects of the Immune System.

 Radiation Therapy may increase the risk of Myelodysplasia.

 Radiation Therapy may cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the Spleen.

 Radiation Therapy may cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the Thymus gland.

 Radiation Therapy inevitably may cause a reduction in White Blood Cell counts (lycopenia) in persons undergoing Radiation Therapy:

 Radiation Therapy may cause a reduction in the body’s production of Helper T-Cells.

 Radiation Therapy may cause a reduction in the body’s production of Suppressor T-Cells.

Metabolism

 Hydroxyl Free Radicals are produced during Radiation Therapy and account for much of the toxicity of Radiation Therapy.

Minerals

 Radiation Therapy may disrupt the body's Sodium:Potassium balance.

Musculoskeletal System

 Radiation Therapy may cause Cachexia (Muscle wasting).

 Radiation Therapy may cause Fibrosis (Fibrosis caused by Radiation Therapy is known as Radiation Fibrosis).

Respiratory System

 Radiation Therapy may cause (Radiation) Pneumonitis.  This occurs from the large numbers of Free Radicals generated during Radiation Therapy.

 Radiation Therapy may cause Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

Sexual System

 Radiation Therapy may cause Male Impotence (especially in Prostate Cancer patients). ^[4]

Skin

 Radiation Therapy may cause Dermatitis.

 Radiation Therapy may cause Radioepithelitis (i.e. destruction of the especially of the Skin).

Amino Acids

 Radiation Therapy may cause severe depletion of Taurine (therefore supplemental Taurine is considered highly beneficial for any person undergoing Radiation Therapy).  ^[5]

Proteins

 Radiation Therapy may lower Hemoglobin levels.

Vaccines

 The anti-tumor effects of Bestatin (a Vaccine derived from Streptomyces olivoreticuli) may be negated when Cancer patients are treated concurrently with Radiation Therapy (specifically X-Rays).