Is Age a Factor in Cancer Treatment?
Advanced cancer treatment may be more complex and challenging for older patients. This is mainly because older patients are prone to have more chronic health conditions, including heart disease or diabetes. Even if you are otherwise healthy, your body is still likely to react differently to medical treatment than that of a young person in good health. Older adults already have higher risks for developing cancer and they also typically have a shorter life span than younger people. Because of these factors, it is important to carefully select the medical treatment for cancer that is right for your condition. Some medical treatments for advanced cancers can be very effective in curing the disease. However, there are other treatments that are more difficult or have less success.
Cancer Surgery
Some medical treatments for treating cancer patients focus on removing tumor tissue from the area where the tumor is located, or tumor surgery. This surgery can sometimes involve different organs or areas. Your doctor may not recommend that you have any tissue removed. However, there are many ways to manage symptoms such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These treatments destroy healthy tissue but kill cancer cells nearby. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy uses high-powered energy beams that target cancer cells. Doctors will prescribe medication in the later stages of treatment to stop the disease from spreading and prevent it from returning.
Cancer Treatment Side Effect
The side effects of surgery or radiation therapy can include the need for hospitalization or pain relief medication after the procedure. Some medications may also affect older adults, especially those who are taking medications to lower their blood sugar levels. Many people who have had radiation therapy or surgery have complained about the need to adjust their dosage during the recovery period. To determine if medication is affecting your health, a blood test will be done before you start taking the medication.
Proton Therapy
High-frequency electrical currents are combined with radioactive energy waves, also known as proton therapy. Proton therapy is usually used to treat brain tumors, gallbladder issues, cysts, kidney and prostate cancers. The proton beams enter the body through incisions in the side, arm or neck. The high-frequency currents can also be used to affect tumors located in areas that have many blood vessels and nerve endings. The high-frequency current uses the calcium and potassium found in your body to send them to the areas affected.
The doctor will give intravenous doses to calcium and potassium to the area to be treated. The procedure can take several hours. If the tumor is found in an area that produces large quantities of calcium in the blood, the high-frequency currents will continue until the desired effects are achieved. The physician will stop the current once the desired effects are achieved. Cells will then resume their dormant states.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Advanced cancer treatments such as proton therapy may not be appropriate for all patients. For some patients, especially people with a history of pulmonary embolism, an embolism pump is necessary to maintain adequate blood flow. The calcium and potassium must also be taken over a prolonged period of time. The side effects of these treatments can include weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and swelling in the upper legs. There can also be problems developing in the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, skin, bladder and esophagus if proton therapy is continued for an extended period of time. It is important to speak with your doctor immediately if you become pregnant after receiving advanced cancer treatment.
Proton therapy is not only expensive in many western countries but also has many drawbacks. The repeated use of a proton pump can lead to bone loss in patients that are suffering from kidney disease or osteoporosis. Some patients may also experience fluid retention, which can lead to problems during pregnancy.
Radiation therapy is another advanced treatment option for cancer. Radiation therapy destroys both healthy and malignant cells by bombarding them using high-energy rays. There are two types of radiation therapy; external and internal radiation. Radiation therapy can be used to treat cancers that are located in the outermost layer of the skin. Internal radiation therapy is used for treating cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
Next Steps in Cancer Treatment
EBIS Medical is a knowledge-based AI-based disease matching platform that uses self-reported clinical information to facilitate advanced treatment matching for patients, primary physicians, and healthcare providers
If you are looking for advanced treatments, a second opinion, or a teleconsultation you contact us at anytime for a complimentary assessment on your case. Our patient navigators are here to assist you in helping you make an informed decision about global cancer treatments available.
