Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Radiation Therapy

In the early days of radiotherapy treatment, skin burns during treatment and sometimes permanent damage or scarring of the skin, was common.

This changed during the late 1950s and 1960s as two new types of machine were introduced to give the radiotherapy treatment - Linear Accelerators and Cobalt Units.

Radiation therapy uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to damage leukemia cells and stop their growth.

Radiation rays are focused on one specific area of the body where there is a collection of leukemia cells.

Radiation is usually used with chemotherapy. This is mainly used for organs damaged by diseased blood cells.

Radiation can also be used prior to stem cell (and bone marrow) transplants.

Skin problems are uncommon with modern radiotherapy treatment.

Occasionally skin problems can occur because of the location of the cancer and the area of the body treated.

Usually this will cause no more than some temporary pinkness or redness of the skin for a week or two after treatment.

If any soreness does develop it will only last a short time and can usually be eased with creams or lotions.

Severe or permanent skin damage is rare.

Radiation side effects include:

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