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Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing.
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It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.
The treatment can be delivered externally (using machines) or internally (placing radioactive sources near the cancer).
How it works:
Radiation therapy damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from replicating and leading to cell death.
While healthy cells can also be affected, they generally have a greater capacity to repair themselves.
Types of Radiation Therapy:
External Beam Radiation Therapy:
This is the most common type, where radiation beams are aimed at the tumor from a machine outside the body.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy):
Radioactive materials are placed inside the body, either temporarily or permanently, near the tumor.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT):
Radiation is delivered during surgery, often after a tumor has been removed.
Who gets it?
Radiation therapy is used to treat many types of cancer and can be used at different times during treatment, including before, during, or after surgery.
It may also be used to relieve cancer symptoms or treat benign tumors.
Planning and Delivery:
Simulation:
Before treatment, a simulation is performed using imaging scans (like CT or MRI) to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor and surrounding tissues.
Treatment Planning:
The simulation data is used to plan the radiation beams and ensure they target the tumor while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Treatment Delivery:
Radiation therapy is typically delivered in daily sessions, often over several weeks.
Side Effects:
Side effects of radiation therapy vary depending on the treatment area and individual factors, but can include fatigue, skin changes, nausea, and hair loss.
Most side effects improve after treatment is completed.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Jul 2, 2024 · Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is a type of cancer treatment. This treatment uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells.
People also ask
How long does it take to recover from radiation therapy?
Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment. But some side effects may continue after treatment is over because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the effects of radiation therapy. Late side effects can happen months or years after treatment.
Radiation therapy is one of the most important tools we use to treat cancer. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, shrinks tumors and relieves symptoms.
May 15, 2025 · Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy (RT, RTx, or XRT) is a treatment using ionizing radiation, generally provided as part of cancer therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a treatment using ionizing radiation, generally provided as part of cancer therapy to either kill or control the growth of malignant cells. It is normally delivered by a linear particle accelerator. Wikipedia
ICD-10-PCS: D
ICD-9-CM: 92.2-92.3
OPS-301 code: 8–52
Jun 9, 2025 · Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons, to destroy or damage cancer cells.
Radiation therapy uses focused, high-energy photon beams to destroy cancer cells. More than half of cancer patients will undergo some type of radiation therapy.
Mar 20, 2025 · Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading.
Jun 9, 2025 · Radiation to the brain can cause these short-term side effects: Headaches; Hair loss; Nausea; Vomiting; Extreme tiredness (fatigue); Hearing ...
May 15, 2025 · External beam radiation therapy comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. It is a local treatment, which means it treats a specific part of your ...
Sep 26, 2024 · Lung cancer radiation therapy uses powerful, high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.