Radiotherapy

Most of us are familiar with our teeth feeling somewhat “fuzzy” after eating sweets. But if your entire mouth feels cottony all the time, your sense of taste is impaired, and you are having trouble swallowing, an oral fungal infection may be the cause. It is hardly ever a danger to your health, but it is very unpleasant to have. This feature is about how people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS can prevent this kind of infection (often called “oral thrush”), as well as what treatment options are available to them.

There are three main options in the treatment of cancer (malignant tumours): Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy aims to destroy the cancerous tissue by exposing it to certain high-energy rays. The source of radiation can be located outside the body (external radiotherapy), inside the body or very close to the tumour (internal radiotherapy or brachytherapy).