Radiation Treatment for Gynecologic Malignancies and the Vital Role of Nursing

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Anne Mellon and Chrissy Donovan led a webinar on radiation treatment for gynecological malignancies, focusing on nursing's crucial role in patient care. They discussed external beam radiation and brachytherapy, emphasizing the significance of nursing in patient education and side effects management. The session covered the basics of radiation therapy, treatment modalities, and types of radiation like ionizing radiation, IMRT, and image-guided radiation therapy. Specific cancers such as cervical, endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal were addressed, along with details on dosing, fractionation, and tissue sensitivities to radiation. Common side effects like fatigue, anxiety, depression, and strategies for managing them, like vaginal dilators and hydration, were highlighted. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, practical recommendations, and patient-centered care were stressed. They also tackled inquiries about long-term effects, lymphedema, and preventing radiation proctitis, while promoting further education and upcoming webinars on brachytherapy for nurses.

Keywords

Anne Mellon

Chrissy Donovan

webinar

radiation treatment

gynecological malignancies

nursing role

external beam radiation

brachytherapy

patient education

side effects management

ionizing radiation