What should I expect before external beam radiation therapy?

Intermountain Healthcare

Before external beam radiation therapy:

Your doctor will explain the treatment plan, possible side effects, and how the treatments may help. Be sure to ask any questions you have. It can help to write down your questions in advance.
You'll have a physical exam. You will also have tests to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer.
A healthcare provider will place small tattoos on your skin to show where to aim the radiation. The tattoos are permanent, but to minimize skin discoloration, they are tiny -- about the size of a pinhead.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

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.

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