How do patients with esophageal cancer cooperate with radiotherapy

For the success of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer, close cooperation of the patient is very important.

Patients should keep a positive and optimistic mood; they should consume fresh food rich in vitamins, and the food varieties should be fresh and diverse, but things that are harmful to health, such as smoking and drinking, should be strictly prohibited; they should maintain appropriate activities every day, and they can do qigong and health exercises according to their ability.

During each treatment, the patient's body position should be strictly consistent with the position of the doctor's positioning drawing of the irradiation field. Because the esophagus is located deep in the human body, changes in body position will affect the accuracy of irradiation, thus causing treatment failure. The radiation marks drawn by the doctor on the patient's skin should remain clear. This will avoid treatment failure. If there are any blurs, they should be redrawn in time. Patients should pay attention to keeping the skin in the irradiation area clean and hygienic, and the skin should be dry before and during irradiation, because wet skin will increase radiation reactions; irritating drugs or drugs containing metal ions are prohibited in the irradiation area, and adhesive tape is also prohibited.

Patients should avoid taking drugs containing metal ions such as barium sulfate or aluminum hydroxide during radiotherapy, otherwise the drugs will adhere to the esophageal wall and increase the radiation response of the mucosa. They should drink boiled water regularly to keep the esophagus clean and unobstructed.