EXPERT
Paul DesRosiers
Radiation Oncologist | Radiation Oncology
Dr. Paul DesRosiers practices Urologic Radiation Oncology in Joliet, IL. Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that involves treating cancer with radiation. Dr. DesRosiers specializes in treating prostate cancer with radiation, using radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses carefully targeted and regulated doses of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
29 years
Experience
Paul DesRosiers
- Joliet, IL
- University Of Illinois College
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Can massage therapy help someone going through radiation treatments?
Early radiation side-effects are like sunburn; so, we use creams, lotions and topical analgesics. Soon after radiation, those skin burns go away. But later on, especially for the READ MORE
Early radiation side-effects are like sunburn; so, we use creams, lotions and topical analgesics. Soon after radiation, those skin burns go away. But later on, especially for the neck and breast radiation patients, there can be swelling in and under the skin. We call it “lymphedema”. Daily massage therapy works wonders for radiation lymphedema.
What is the most common acute side effect of radiation treatment?
Acute radiation side effects depend on the exact part of the body being treated.
Does radiation make you less hungry?
Radiation for breast cancer typically does not reduce the appetite. But if the radiation is aimed at the abdomen, throat, brain or esophagus - patients often lose their appetites. READ MORE
Radiation for breast cancer typically does not reduce the appetite. But if the radiation is aimed at the abdomen, throat, brain or esophagus - patients often lose their appetites.
Can radiation therapy cause thyroid problems?
If radiation therapy is aimed at the neck, as in cases of throat cancer or Hodgkin’s disease, the thyroid gland often still functions, but it may be reduced. These patients benefit READ MORE
If radiation therapy is aimed at the neck, as in cases of throat cancer or Hodgkin’s disease, the thyroid gland often still functions, but it may be reduced. These patients benefit from low dose thyroid hormone replacement. Radiation therapy patients seldom require full dose thyroid hormone replacement. “Hypothyroid” requiring full thyroid hormone replacement is a common problem, and is considered an autoimmune disease.
Does radiation affect fertility?
Radiation therapy aimed at the pelvis will cause sterility. It would take approximately 120 CT scans of the pelvis to cause sterility.
How long does it take for radiation to shrink a tumor?
Very high doses of radiation are required to make a malignant tumor shrink. Radiation therapy treatments are usually given 5 days a week for 6 to 9 weeks. Tumor regression usually READ MORE
Very high doses of radiation are required to make a malignant tumor shrink. Radiation therapy treatments are usually given 5 days a week for 6 to 9 weeks. Tumor regression usually begins after 20 treatments, and continues for up to 6 months after radiation.
How can you prevent radiation from a CT scan?
CT scan is an X-ray procedure. X-rays are radiation. Ultrasound imaging and MRI imaging do not use X-rays.
Can I drive after radiation treatment?
Most radiation therapy patients can drive themselves to and from treatment.
How do you prevent hair loss during radiation treatments?
Breast radiation therapy does not cause hair loss from the scalp. It may cause hair loss from the arm pit on the side getting radiation.
