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What is Radiation Therapy?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Radiation therapy is a technique which is used to kill cancer cells to prevent a cancer from spreading, shrink a cancer, or kill off a cancer entirely. This treatment is commonly employed in the management of a wide variety of cancers, and there are a number of different types of radiation therapy available. Patients who undergo radiation therapy usually do so under the supervision of a radiologist and an oncologist.

In this type of medical treatment, the patient is exposed to controlled doses of localized radiation which are intended to target the cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells alone. In external radiation, a focused beam is used to deliver the radiation to the area, while internal therapies involve the ingestion or implantation of radioactive agents which will deliver radiation to the inside of the body.

An oncologist may order radiation therapy to prevent cancer from spreading in a patient's body.
An oncologist may order radiation therapy to prevent cancer from spreading in a patient's body.

Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancerous cells so that they cannot continue to multiply. It can be used as a standalone treatment, or as an adjunct treatment along with options such as chemotherapy. When determining which treatments to use, a doctor will usually assess the stage of the cancer, its location, the response of similar cancers in other patients to various therapies, and the patient's own position on therapy and treatment.

Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of many types of cancer.
Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of many types of cancer.

Sessions of radiation therapy occur several times over the course of weeks or months. It is necessary to have multiple sessions to deliver small doses to allow the body to recover, and to ensure that all of the cancer cells are killed. Depending on the patient's situation, the therapy may be delivered on an outpatient basis, in which case the patient travels to the hospital for treatment, or on an inpatient basis to a patient who is living in the hospital.

Hair loss is a potential side effect of using radiation to treat cancer.
Hair loss is a potential side effect of using radiation to treat cancer.

The treatment itself is painless, but it can cause a number of side effects including fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and skin reactions. Radiation can also cause cancer, and in some cases patients experience secondary malignancies as a result of radiation therapy. Combined with other treatments used to manage the cancer, radiation therapy can be grueling for the patient and his or her support team.

Palliative care may be used in situations where cancer patients wish to decline more aggressive forms of treatment.
Palliative care may be used in situations where cancer patients wish to decline more aggressive forms of treatment.

Doctors may recommend radiation therapy for a variety of situations. In palliative care, where the cancer is incurable, radiation therapy can be used to manage the size of the cancer to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with the growth. Palliative care may be used when a patient wishes to decline aggressive treatment, or when a patient recognizes that the cancer is incurable, making aggressive treatment unproductive to pursue. This therapy can also be used in the treatment and management of cancerous growths.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • An oncologist may order radiation therapy to prevent cancer from spreading in a patient's body.
      By: japolia
      An oncologist may order radiation therapy to prevent cancer from spreading in a patient's body.
    • Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of many types of cancer.
      By: Alex Tihonov
      Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of many types of cancer.
    • Hair loss is a potential side effect of using radiation to treat cancer.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Hair loss is a potential side effect of using radiation to treat cancer.
    • Palliative care may be used in situations where cancer patients wish to decline more aggressive forms of treatment.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Palliative care may be used in situations where cancer patients wish to decline more aggressive forms of treatment.
    • Radiation therapy for cancer can lead to side effects like fatigue and nausea.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Radiation therapy for cancer can lead to side effects like fatigue and nausea.
    • Radiation therapy may cause some cancer patients to experience nausea and vomiting.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Radiation therapy may cause some cancer patients to experience nausea and vomiting.
    • Radiosurgery allows precise targeting of a tumor, and this helps prevent extensive damage to healthy tissue.
      By: Monkey Business
      Radiosurgery allows precise targeting of a tumor, and this helps prevent extensive damage to healthy tissue.
    • Radiation treatment to the head and neck may damage salivary glands, causing a decrease in saliva production and dry mouth.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      Radiation treatment to the head and neck may damage salivary glands, causing a decrease in saliva production and dry mouth.