Radiation therapy is a type of treatment in the malignant mesothelioma treatment where it is used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. Radiation therapy is also known as cobalt therapy, X-ray therapy or irradiation. This radiation would come from a machines and radioisotopes, but technology has developed several promising new advances. This treatment proved to be very effective in increasing survival rates when used with other strong treatments. Radiation therapy destroys uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. Radiation therapy also destroys normal body cells and produces many side effects so while treating with radiation therapy better planning is required.

Radiation Therapy: When patients undergo radiation therapy, they receive several successively higher doses of radiation, which shrink the tumor to a manageable size. Radiation relieves a great deal of pain, and patients of pleural mesothelioma suffer reduced instances of shortness of breath. Unfortunately, radiation cannot kill all of the cancerous cells without causing significant damage to the patient.

Types of radiation Therapy: -External radiation: In external radiation electricity is used to create radiation via a linear accelerator or by machine that uses a radioactive substance. This allows higher does of concentrated radiation over a shorter time frame on more entrenched tumors. -Internal radiation: It is known as both sealed and unsealed. In unsealed radiation is given orally or through an injection. Sealed radiation is given through an implant in the form of seeds, capsules, needles, or wires. This radiation is delivered into a patient to stop the spread of cancer throughout the body.

Side effects of Radiation Therapy:

Radiation Therapy causes many side effects as it destroys many normal cells of the body.

Acute Side Effects:

Chronic side effects: -Low White Blood Count: Prolonged treatment of radiation therapy may lead to destruction of bone marrow and indirectly reduces white blood cell count. Patients are susceptible to infection and fever occurs. Patient should take precautions like uncooked foods from their diet, avoid fresh flowers and plants, and avoid dental work.

-Low Red Blood Count: Prolonged treatment of radiation therapy leads to low red blood count. These types of patients cannot tolerate strenuous work, and should take diet high in iron, drink a lot of water, and avoid caffeine.

-Low Platelet Count: Radiation therapy leads to low platelet count and lead to bleeding problem.

In addition, patients should avoid aspirin and other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.