Quality of Life

Abstract

Summary and ConclusionsThis synthesis of the literature on the quality of life in relation to radiotherapy is based on 78 scientific articles. including 12 randomized studies, 25 prospective studies, and 20 retrospective studies. These studies involve 9 884 patients.Radiotherapy is often organ-preserving, which inherently promotes a better quality of life. Many quality of life aspects related to radiotherapy have been studied, but seldom by prospective randomized studies that compare radiotherapy t o other treatment (eg, surgery or chemotherapy). Radiotherapy involves numerous physical and psychological symptoms, mainly during the course of treatment. Examples include skin irritation and fatigue. Radiotherapy directed at the brain has delayed effects. in children treatment carries a substantial risk for lowering the IQ. The risk for encephalopathy in adults is probably underestimated. Patients with cancer in the head and neck may cxperience adverse side effects in the irradiated area long after the conclusion of radiotherapy. There are no confirmed differences in quality of life between breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy and those receiving chemotherapy. Impotency problems and urinary incontinence appear following radical surgery and radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The risk for delayed complications is low after radiotherapy for testicular cancer. Patients receiving radiotherapy for gynecologic cancers are often troubled by local side effects long after the conclusion of treatment.

Protection against Radiotherapy-Induced Toxicity

“…Radiation therapy is an important treatment modality for many malignancies with as many as 60% of cancer patients receive ionizing radiation as a part of their therapeutic regimen [ 1 ]. While radiotherapy has variable success depending on the cancer being treated, the toxicity or side effects associated with its use is of concern as it can affect quality of life [ 2 ]. Radiation toxicity can manifest in a number of different ways as summarized in Table 1 [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Expression of microRNAs following radiation therapy and association with severity of radiotherapy‑induced toxicity among patients with prostate adenocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

“…Radiation therapy or radiotherapy (RT) is a standard treatment provided to patients with locally advanced PCa (4,5), with 50-60% of the total patients relying on this treatment (6). However, patients may experience off-target adverse effects of RT-induced toxicity, harming the surrounding normal tissues (7). RT toxicity is classified as acute or early if it occurs within 3 months of RT completion and is usually resolved within…”

Radiation-Induced Lung Injury

“…Около 70 % больных со злокачественными новообразованиями получают ЛТ в монорежиме, комбинированной или комплексной программах лечения [1]. ЛТ может сопровождаться различными побочными эффектами, которые могут влиять на качество жизни пациентов [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”