Radiation can be used to control pain by destroying a growing tumor that is invading or interfering with normal tissue, such as when a tumor presses on bones, nerves, or other organs. This may be done with radiation to part of the body or, in rare cases, with radiation to the whole body. Or you may be given a shot with a radioactive medicine.
Radiation therapy is the use of X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation damages the cells in the area being treated, stopping or slowing the growth of the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy). Radiation can also be given from inside your body (internal radiation therapy). For example, brachytherapy uses radiation implants that are placed in or near the cancer. Systemic radiation therapy is given by a pill or injection. And intraoperative radiation therapy is given inside the body during an operation.
Radiation therapy is standard treatment for many types of cancer. It may be used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Radiation therapy may be done in a number of different ways. No matter how it's done, the goal is to damage cancer cells and shrink tumors while protecting your healthy cells as much as possible.
The type of radiation you will be given will be based on several things, such as the type of cancer or tumor it is and where the cancer is in your body.
EBRT comes from a machine that aims the radiation beam at the cancer. It is usually given in small doses over several weeks. But radiation therapy may be given in just a few larger doses or even a single dose. Some types of EBRT include:
Internal radiation therapy is given by putting the radiation source inside your body. It is done for some cancers because radiation can be put exactly where the cancer is. Types of internal radiation therapy include:
Your doctor will plan a very specific dose of radiation for the cancer cells or tumor. Your treatment plan will be based on this dose. A certain "fraction" of that total dose will be given in each treatment.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your treatment plan.
Radiation is one of the main treatments used to kill cancer cells. But it doesn't always cure cancer. Researchers continue to study safer and more effective ways to use radiation therapy to treat cancer.
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 the doctor thinks that the benefit you may have from this treatment is greater than the risks.
Risks of radiation therapy during and right after treatment include:
Most of these problems will go away soon after the treatment ends. Some side effects, such as skin damage, may last longer. And sometimes the side effects are permanent, such as when the salivary glands are damaged.
And sometimes side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy. These can include:
Radiation therapy is used to destroy cancer cells and to shrink tumors.
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