Radiation Therapy For Cancer
Using ionized energy to kill cells, radiation therapy is used by half of all patients to treat cancer.
Radiation kills cancer cells by damaging their genetic material beyond repair, causing them to breakdown and die. Both short- and long-term side effects, such as hair and memory loss, can occur when the therapy kills healthy cells.
Different types of radiation exist. When a machine outside the body delivers it, it is called external-beam radiation therapy. If radioactive materials are placed inside the body, it is called internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy. You can also receive an injection of radioactive iodine, which travels through the body to kill cancer cells, a treatment called systemic radiation therapy.
When cancer cant be cured, radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumors to make life more comfortable for a patient. Doctors may use radiation treatments alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Recently Answered
- Q What should I expect after having radiation therapy for cancer pain?
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Radiation therapy can reduce pain by shrinking a tumor. And for cancer that has spread to the bones, walking and moving around may be less painful. Full Answer
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- Q What is radiation therapy for cancer pain?
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Radiation therapy is the use of X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation damages the genetic material of cells in the area being treated, leaving the cells unable to continue to grow. Although radiation damages normal cells as well as... Full Answer
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- Q How effective is radiation therapy for lymphoma and leukemia?
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For some stages of leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), radiation therapy works well when used alone. But it may be used in combination with chemotherapy, depending on the type and the stage of the cancer. Full Answer
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- Q What are the risks of radiation therapy for cancer?
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Radiation therapy may shrink a tumor, give you relief from cancer symptoms or possibly cure cancer. But it has risks for serious side effects. Your doctor will recommend radiation therapy if he or she thinks that the benefit you may have from this... Full Answer
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- Q Why may I need radiation therapy for cancer?
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- Q What is laser light?
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The term "laser" stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Ordinary light, such as that from a light bulb, has many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the other hand, has a specific wavelength. It is... Full Answer
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- Q What is on-board imaging (OBI) for radiation therapy?
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On-board imaging (OBI) refers to the use of daily x-rays (taken right on the linear accelerator) that help to confirm a match of treatment setup to the planned treatment. Radiation treatment is designed to be very precise, and these images, taken... Full Answer
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- Q What is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for cancer?
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Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) refers to an x-ray taken just prior to your radiation treatment, which confirms the correct position of the radiation field. This daily imaging allows for any small positional corrections and allows the... Full Answer
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- Q What are the emotional side effects of radiation therapy for cancer?
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It is important for you, your family and your friends to be aware that you may feel different during the course of your radiation treatment. Some people report feeling “down” or nervous. This may be due to the fact that your daily life... Full Answer
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- Q Can I drive to my radiation treatments for cancer?
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Radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis. Most patients will feel well enough to drive themselves. If you are not feeling well, arrange for a family member, friend, or neighbor to drive you. Full Answer
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