Nursing Care Radiation Oncology

Part 1 The history and science of radiation therapy: radiation oncology - historical background and principles of teletherapy; principles of brachytherapy. Part 2 Common clinical problems: patient and family education; coping with cancer treatment - patient and family response to radiation therapy; pain and fatigue; altered nutrition; altered protective mechanisms; altered patterns of elimination; altered patterns of sexuality; ineffective breathing patterns. Part 3 Age-related concerns: special needs for children; special needs for elderly patients. Part 4 Radiation for oncological emergencies: increased intracranial pressure; superior vena cava syndrome; spinal cord compression. Part 5 Innovative and future trends: combined-modality therapy; chemical modifiers of radiation therapy; radiolabelled antibody therapy; alternatives in dose fractionation and treatment volume; intra-operative radiation therapy; hyperthemia and radiation therapy. Part 6 Late effects and uncommon complications of radiation therapy: lymphedema; myelopathy, brachial plexopathy and osteoradionecrosis; radiation carcinogenesis. Part 7 Dimensions of nursing practice in radiation oncology: clinical practice; administration; quality assurance; education; research.