I searched it up but it’s not very specific about how this works.
In: 0
To put it simple: Gamma rays, like other forms of ionizing radiation, increase the risk of developing a cancer later. Thus, one is more likely to develop a (second) cancer due to the radioation used to treat the (first) cancer. As long as the probability for developing a second cancer is well below 100%*, it makes sense to treat the cancer you already have even if it makes you more likely to have a new cancer later. Better fix the accute problem first…
There is a lot more nuance to this, and quite a bit of math and computational modelling is used to minimise the side effects of such treatment. A lot of work has been done, and is still being done, to reduce the side effects.
*) Actual numbers vary a lot per type and size of the cancer to be treated. Quickly looking up some example numbers, a typical radiation dose of such treatment has maybe around 10% chance to cause a new cancer based on the “rule of thumb” numbers I recall from my training years ago. This means that the patient is more likely to have a second cancer for reasons not related to the treatment.
Latest Answers