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What is systemic radiation therapy?
Systemic radiation uses radioactive drugs called
radiopharmaceuticals. These unsealed
radiation sources are usually in the form of a liquid.
Examples are strontium 89 and iodine 131. The radiopharmaceuticals may
be injected into the body, given in a vein (IV), or taken by mouth.
They travel throughout the body and are designed to collect in the area
of the body where the cancer is. That is where they give off their
radiation to kill the cancer cells.
Will I be radioactive during or after
systemic radiation treatment?
After systemic radiation with an unsealed radioactive
substance such as iodine, phosphorus, or strontium by mouth or into a
vein, some radiation will stay in your body for a few days, until your
body has had a chance to get rid of it. You may need to stay in the
hospital for 1 or 2 days, and your health care team will tell you what
precautions to take until your body no longer contains radiation that
might affect others. These precautions vary depending on the substance
used.
Patient and family safety
Sometimes doctors recommend certain safety measures to protect
the people around you from the systemic radiation in your body. This is
because the radioactive materials can leave your body through saliva,
sweat, blood, and urine, making these fluids radioactive. In most
cases, the safety precautions must be followed only the first few days
after treatment. Over time the radiation becomes weaker and your body
gets rid of it. Talk to the doctor or nurse about how long this may
take in your case, and if there are special precautions you will need
to take.
You might be told to follow these precautions for a certain
amount of time:
- follow personal hygiene after using the toilet
- use separate utensils and towels
- drink extra fluids to flush the radioactive material out of
your body
- avoid sexual contact
- limit your contact with infants, children, and women who
are pregnant
Ask your health care team about the precautions you need to
take. Be sure you understand what you need to do to protect the people
around you.
Last Medical Review: 12/23/2008
Last Revised: 12/23/2008
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