Radiation Injuries
Experience Healing for Radiation Injuries
with Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Radiation Injury Services Offered In Lenoir City, TN
Radiation treatment, especially in areas like the head, neck, shoulders, and pelvic region, can lead to late radiation effects six months or more post-treatment. Targeting cancerous areas alone is challenging, often resulting in damage to surrounding tissues. This can cause issues such as radiation necrosis, characterized by non-healing wounds in the mouth, loss of muscle and bone mass in the jaw, and tooth loss. Radiation cystitis may occur in patients previously treated for colon, ovarian, or prostate cancer. Our specialized approach, using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, has shown high healing rates of 70%-90% in ideal patients experiencing these late radiation effects.
FAQ: Radiation Injuries
What are radiation burns?
Who experiences radiation burns?
Radiation therapy involves controlled doses of radiation to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, so it’s an important part of treatment for many people with cancer. Unfortunately, radiation almost always has some negative effects on the skin, including burns.
Although anyone undergoing radiation therapy can develop radiation burns, they’re most common among people treated for breast, head, neck, skin, and anal cancers. The severity of a burn depends on the radiation dose, the size of the treatment field, whether you’re undergoing other treatments like chemotherapy, and other individual factors.
What are the signs of radiation burns?
Radiation burns can develop during radiation therapy or in the weeks afterward. Some symptoms of radiation skin damage include:
- Skin reddening of light skin
- Skin darkening of black or brown skin
- Itchiness
- Peeling and flaking
- Blistering
- Dryness
The most worrisome sign of a radiation burn is an open sore, especially one that doesn’t heal properly. These wounds often develop in areas where the skin gets particularly sweaty, like under the arms, but they can appear nearly anywhere on the body.
How are radiation burns treated?
Treatment starts with prevention. Your radiation therapy providers can explain specific ways you can protect your skin to help minimize the impact that radiation therapy has on your skin. But, no matter how well you protect your skin, some skin damage is likely.
If you experience serious effects of radiation therapy, like open wounds, Limb Preservation Center of East Tennessee can help. We provide patient-tailored treatment for all types of chronic wounds, with therapies such as:
- Topical wound care
- Wound debridement
- Negative pressure therapy
- Offloading
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Starting therapy as soon as you see the signs of a radiation burn can prevent the damage from progressing. Many patients are so distressed about radiation burns that they may feel hesitant to proceed with the critical radiation treatments they need. But, with advanced wound care, you don’t need to worry or avoid treatment. We provide expert wound healing so you can proceed with the medical care you need. Request an appointment online or call our office today.
How does HBOT treat late effects of radiation?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is another form of noninvasive treatment that has become more prevalent in recent years. This therapy not only targets symptom relief but also has the capability of stopping the progression of the pathologic process. HBOT stimulates angiogenesis, which reestablishes blood flow to areas in danger of necrosis, and helps maintain bladder functionality. Studies have shown a complete response rate ranging from 27% to 100% of patients studied, with most showing more than 75% of patients with a complete response.
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Chronic Wound Evaluation & Treatment
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Non-Healing Surgical Wounds
Radiation Injuries
Wound Care
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Ready to take the first step towards healing? You deserve compassionate, innovative wound care that’s tailored to your needs. Call our office in Lenoir City, TN, or request an appointment online today!