Yes, in many instances they do. They also control. Suppose you are undergoing treatment by x-rays for a painful shoulder, shingles, or a similar benign illness. The x-ray tube from which the x-ray beam comes is centered over the affected area and the machine turned on. The treatment may be repeated a number of times, depending on how quickly the condition clears up.
Patients with thyrotoxicosis (an overactive thyroid gland) often are treated to an “atomic cocktail” by the radiologist. The “cocktail” is a carefully determined amount of radioactive iodine. The thyroid gland takes up iodine. When radioactive, this iodine gives off a continuous stream of beta and gamma rays. These rays slow down the overactive thyroid cells and the gland returns to its normal working condition.
Suppose someone you know has a cancerous growth. If his trouble has been discovered in the early stages he has a good chance of being cured. First, the radiologist will learn the patient’s history by talking with the patient and his referring doctor. He also will do his own examination of the patient. Then he will review the report on the tissue, or actually go over the microscope analysis of the small bit of tissue which has been taken from the growth (the biopsy) with the pathologist.
He then develops the plan of radiation treatment best suited for the patient. He maps out a schedule of treatment fitting the radiation to the particular growth. He must decide how many treatments given within a certain number of days will deliver the amount of radiation necessary to destroy or control the growth. In many instances, by using many small treatments, it is possible to bombard the growth and the area around it with a large dose of radiation without permanently damaging the healthy tissues. This allows them to recover with the least discomfort to the patient.
What do Radiation Treatments Feel Like
There is no sensation during the time the x-rays or gamma rays are being administered. After two or three weeks of therapy the patient may notice that his skin appears to be sunburned over the treated area. Actually, his “sunburn” is very similar to that which develops from over-exposure to the sun. This reaction in the skin is part of the treatment and will gradually disappear. Perhaps at the same time the patient may also complain of nausea and loss of pep. This is called “radiation sickness.” Fortunately, most patients do not experience this condition. If it does occur, it can be readily controlled. In any event, it will disappear as soon as the series of treatments are over.
Tags:atomic cocktail, continuous stream, overactive thyroid gland, painful shoulder, radiation treatments ray beam