pediatric radiation therapy in india

Pediatric Radiation Therapy

Best Pediatric Oncology Hospital in Bangalore

Pediatric solid malignancies are rare in this part of the world. Most of these solid malignancies require combined modality therapy like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy plays a significant role in their treatment. Cancer Therapy has the expertise to treat such children. Hence patients come from far and wide to avail our treatment.

The fundamental goal of radiation therapy doesn't change, which is to safely use radiation to kill the cancerous cells and to preserve the normal tissue. For pediatric patients, this becomes even more important not only because of immediate side effects but also long term effects of radiation therapy. We at Cancer Therapy have highly qualified doctors, nurses, therapists, and anesthesiologists who work as teams to ensure that the child receives the safest and best possible care.

Looking for pediatric radiation therapy in India for your child’s treatment then contact Cancer Therapy where your child’s treatment and care are our utmost priority.

We do understand parents concerns regarding radiation exposure to their children. We appropriately counsel the parents/children regarding the radiation procedures so that they are comfortable with the same.

There are many types of radiation treatment. The kind of radiation depends on several factors which include the type of cancer, the location of the tumour, and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. With our expertise and access to state-of-the-art radiotherapy, we can ensure the most effective treatment with the lowest possible risk of side effects.

The various techniques of radiation Therapy are

  1. 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT)

  2. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

  3. Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

  4. Stereotactic Radio-Surgery (SRS)

  5. Stereotactic Body Radiation-Therapy (SBRT) / Stereotactic Ablative Radiation-Therapy (SABR)

Pediatric Anesthesia During Radiation Treatment

Usually, children who are younger than seven years old might need anaesthesia during radiation planning and treatment. Our experienced, dedicated team works closely with our anesthesiologists to ensure the safe and effective administration of drugs. The department has the latest anaesthesia workstation for the delivery of radiation. If the child does require anaesthesia, then the following procedures are done.

1. All these procedures are as an outpatient and don't require admission. Admission is required if the child is receiving chemotherapy.

2. A thorough pre-anaesthetic check is done to prepare the child.

3. The child needs to fast for 6 hrs, to avoid aspiration and vomiting. For this reason, the child is treated early in the morning.

4. A secure intravenous line is accessed

5. Intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia is preferred with the use of short-acting drugs

6. The child is continuously monitored throughout the procedure by a qualified anaesthetist

7. Once the procedure is completed, the child is shifted to recovery and monitored continuously. After the child recovers from the anaesthesia effects, they are moved to the ward or home.

Consult the best hospital in Bangalore, if you have any concerns regarding Pediatric Radiation Therapy.

FAQ’s

Start with a tour of the hospital where the radiation therapy will be given to your kid. Meet staff and try to get an overview of what will happen during the radiation therapy.  Make sure your child is well hydrated before radiation therapy. Keep the essential things of your baby in one bag and carry them with you. Ask other parents about their experience during the radiation therapy. 

Radiation therapy can be too much for a child which is why hospitals have a child-friendly environment that helps to minimize patient anxiety. There are specially trained staff who work only with children and comfort them all the time. Children under five years old require sedation to remain calm and still during treatments.

Bring your child's favourite toys or books with you during the radiation session. Play something that they like to listen to and play it at the time of the session.

Like any other cancer treatment, radiation therapy can also cause side effects, but there are certain things you can do to minimize the side effects and maintain your health:

  • Get plenty of rest before radiation therapy
  • Take care of the skin that is exposed to radiation. Clean it gently, avoid using powders, perfumes or products containing alcohol unless approved by the cancer doctor.
  • Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
  • Take the right amount of food, vitamins and minerals you need, even if you feel nauseous.
  • Call the specialist if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Do’s and Don’ts during radiation therapy include:

  • Maintaining good health during the radiation therapy session.
  • Maintain good hygiene during the course. Bath daily, brush your teeth regularly and keep yourself clean.
  • Don’t take medications without consulting the doctor.
  • Avoid drinking and smoking.

The potential side-effects of radiation therapy depend on the age of your child, the area of their body that is receiving therapy.

Every kid is different, so it is important to talk to a nutritionist about what is best for the child. Children with cancer require an increased need for protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. Give your child small but more frequent reals, try blander foods, and always have food on hand.

There are different types of radiation therapy and are given based on the type of cancer, the location and the health of the patient.

  • External Radiation (External beam therapy): Radiation is administered by a machine that points the energy waves directly at the tumor.
  • Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy, implant radiation): A high dose of radiation is given inside the body as close to cancer as possible. It can be injected, swallowed or implanted directly into the tumor.

The cost of radiation therapy depends on the type of radiation therapy and hospital facilities provided to the patient.

Radiation therapy is more harmful to tumor cells than normal cells, but still it can damage normal tissue. The children may develop side effects during or after the treatment. The kid may become irritable, tired, nauseous, and may get headaches. There are other side effects that develop sometime after the therapy.

If you are looking for the best paediatric oncology hospital in India for pediatric radiation therapy in Bangalore then consult Cancer Therapy India. Cancer Therapy India is associated with the best cancer hospital in Bangalore having an experienced cancer care team and pediatric oncology team who are experts in diagnosing and treating simple to complex cancer. Different types of cancer treatment like chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy or the combination of all are given depending upon the type of cancer

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