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Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-ray or other particles to destroy cancer cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period. Radiation therapy can treat many different types of cancer. It can also be used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and/or surgery. This article provides a general overview of radiation therapy, the different types of radiation therapy, and why it is used to treat cancer. Learn more about what to expect when having radiation therapy and the side effects of radiation therapy. Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control. All cells in the body go through a cycle to grow, divide, and multiply. Cancer cells go through this process faster than normal cells. Radiation therapy damages cell DNA so the cells stop growing or are destroyed. Unlike other cancer treatments affect the whole body, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy is usually a local treatment. This means it generally affects only the part of the body where the cancer is located. Some healthy tissue near the cancer cells may be damaged during the treatment, but it usually heals after treatment ends. There are many different types of radiation therapy, and they all work a little bit differently to destroy cancer cells. The goals of radiation therapy depend on your type of cancer and if and how far it has spread. Radiation therapy can be given alone or as a part of a treatment plan that includes different treatments. Some of the ways radiation therapy is used include: As the primary treatment. Often, the goal of radiation therapy is to get rid of all the cancer and keep it from coming back. Before other treatments. Radiation therapy can be given before other treatments, such as surgery, to shrink a large tumor. This is called "neoadjuvant radiation therapy." After other treatments. Radiation therapy can be given after other kinds of treatments to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This is called "adjuvant radiation therapy." To relieve symptoms. Radiation therapy can be used to relieve the signs and symptoms of cancer. This is called "palliative radiation therapy." Radiation therapy can be used to treat many different types of cancer. More than half of people with cancer will receive some type of radiation therapy. For some cancers, radiation therapy alone is an effective treatment. Other types of cancer respond best to a combination of treatments. Radiation therapy can also be used to treat recurrent cancer and metastatic cancer. Recurrent cancer is cancer that comes back after treatment. Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The most common type of radiation therapy is external-beam radiation therapy. It delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. It can be used to treat large areas of the body, if needed. A machine called a linear accelerator, or linac, creates the radiation beam for x-ray or photon radiation therapy. Special computer software adjusts the beam's size and shape. This helps target the tumor while avoiding healthy tissue nearby. Most radiation therapy treatments are given every weekday for several weeks. Form-fitting supports or a plastic mesh mask are used for radiation therapy to the head, neck, or brain to help people stay still and make sure the beam reaches the same area each session. The different types of external-beam radiation therapy are:
What is internal radiation therapy?Internal radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy. This type of radiation therapy is when radioactive material is placed into the cancer or surrounding tissue. Implants may be permanent or temporary. This treatment may require a hospital stay. The different types of internal radiation therapy include:
What are the other radiation therapy treatment options?Other radiation therapy treatment options include:
Is radiation therapy safe for patients and their families?Doctors have safely and effectively used radiation therapy to treat cancer for more than 100 years. Like other cancer treatments, radiation therapy causes side effects. Talk with your health care team about what to expect and what you are experiencing during and after your treatment. While most people feel no pain when each treatment is being delivered, effects of treatment slowly build up over time and may include discomfort, skin changes, or other side effects, depending on where in the body treatment is being delivered. Having radiation therapy slightly increases the risk of developing a second cancer later in life. But for many people, radiation therapy eliminates the existing cancer. This benefit is greater than the small risk that the treatment could cause a new cancer in the future. During external-beam radiation therapy, the patient does not give off any radiation after treatment sessions. Any radiation remains in the the treatment room. However, internal radiation therapy causes the patient to give off radiation. As a result, visitors should follow these safety measures, unless other directions are given by the patient's doctor:
Permanent implants remain radioactive after the patient leaves the hospital. Because of this, for 2 months, the patient should not have more than 5 minutes of contact with children or pregnant people. Similarly, people who are treated with systemic radiation therapy should follow safety precautions. Here are some common safety measures for the first few days after treatment. Be sure to talk with your health care team about specific instructions about your treatment.
Questions to ask the health care teamConsider asking your health care team these questions if radiation therapy is recommended as part of your cancer treatment plan:
Related ResourcesWhat to Expect When Having Radiation Therapy Side Effects of Radiation Therapy Making Decisions About Cancer Treatment More InformationNational Cancer Institute (NCI): Brachytherapy to Treat Cancer NCI: External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer RadiologyInfo.org: Introduction to Cancer Therapy (Radiation Oncology) RTAnswers.org: How Does Radiation Therapy Work Download ASCO's free Radiation Therapy fact sheet. This 1-page printable PDF gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects, terms to know, and questions to ask the health care team. Order printed copies of this fact sheet from the ASCO Store.
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