Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-frequency waves to destroy cancer cells. Doctors determine the type and dose of radiation based on the type and location of the cancer, your health, and other factors.
Cancer treatment often involves radiation therapy, which uses high-energy waves to damage or destroy cancer cells.
The waves stop cancer cells from growing and making more cancer cells by affecting the DNA inside of them. However, it can sometimes damage noncancerous cells.
Radiation therapy targets an affected area with high-energy waves, often the location of a tumor or the place where a tumor was removed during surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
This type of treatment is sometimes ideal because it allows doctors to only affect specific parts of your body, unlike other cancer treatments like chemotherapy that can affect cells in your entire body.
According to the American Cancer Society,
There are two types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation (EBRT) and internal radiation.
Your doctor will consider many factors when deciding which is best for you, including:
- cancer type
- tumor size
- location of cancer
- the proximity of cancer to other tissues sensitive to radiation
- your overall health and well-being
- whether you’ll need other cancer treatment
- your age
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
With EBRT, a large machine sends radiation waves to the site of cancer from outside the body.
You can’t see the rays, and the apparatus doesn’t touch you but moves around you. The movement allows it to send the radiation from many different directions.
Doctors use this type of radiation as a local treatment to target a specific part of your body. For example, when used for breast cancer, the radiation is targeted only at your chest instead of your whole body.
Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)
With internal radiation, aka brachytherapy, a doctor may implant a source of radiation into your body near the cancer site. The sources of radiation are often in the form of:
- capsules
- ribbons
- seeds
- balloons
- wires
- tubes
- liquid
This process usually takes place inside an operating room in order to contain the radiation. Doctors and technicians typically use imaging tests to ensure the implant goes to the correct place.
You may receive general anesthesia to put you to sleep during the procedure or local anesthesia to numb the area where you’re receiving the implant.
Depending on the strength of the radiation and the size and location of the implant, you may need to stay in the hospital for a
When receiving radiation in the liquid form, it’s administered via the mouth, IV line, or injection. Your bodily fluids may also give off radiation for some time after the test. For skin cancers, this type of radiation may be applied directly to the skin.
Radiation therapy is an essential tool for treating cancer. The main goals of radiation therapy are to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Doctors often use radiation therapy with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or surgery.
There are many reasons why doctors may choose to treat cancer with radiation. They use it to:
- destroy all cancer cells
- shrink the tumor
- stop cancer from coming back
- treat cancer symptoms
Radiation therapy may help relieve pain by preventing cancer cells from growing and reducing the amount of inflammation around the part of your body where the cancer is. It may not cure the cancer, but it may help halt its growth and increase your quality of life with less discomfort.
Every person reacts to radiation therapy differently. It’s best to consider that side effects are possible, though you may not experience all of them.
The location and type of cancer, along with your general health, may affect the severity and number of side effects. Any pre-existing conditions you had before receiving a cancer diagnosis may also affect how you respond to treatment.
Some side effects can be seen at the time of treatment, immediately after, or within a few weeks. However, you may experience long-term side effects months or years after radiation. Consider discussing and planning for these side effects with your doctor in advance. They can help determine how to prevent or manage side effects when possible.
The most common side effects of radiation therapy can include:
- fatigue
- skin irritation (radiation dermatitis)
- hair loss around the site of radiation
- low blood cell counts
- fluid buildup (lymphedema), especially for
breast cancer treatments - pain
Radiation therapy can also have very specific side effects depending on the body part receiving the radiation.
For example, if you’re receiving radiation for brain cancer, you may be more likely to experience headaches as a side effect. Nausea and vomiting are more common if you receive radiation to your abdomen. Radiation to your pelvis may affect fertility.
Radioprotective drugs
Your doctor may prescribe medication, known as radioprotective drugs, that work to protect healthy tissue from radiation. These medications only work for certain types of radiation and parts of the body but may be effective in reducing side effects.
How to protect your skin during radiation therapy
Moderate to severe skin reactions occur in almost 90% of people who receive radiation therapy. You may need to take extra steps to protect your skin. Some ways to do this include:
- Avoid wearing tight clothing or elastic over the area where you’re receiving treatment.
- Use only paper tape on the affected area and avoid adhesive tapes.
- Avoid scratching, scrubbing, and rubbing the area.
- Talk with your doctor before using a heating pad or ice pack at the site.
- Talk with your doctor about using sunscreen on the spot to further protect it from sunlight.
- Use only mild soap and lukewarm water when cleaning the area while avoiding scrubbing.
- Talk with your doctor before shaving the area.
- Ask your doctor before applying any substance, such as creams, perfumes, or deodorants, on the spot.
A team of doctors, including a radiation oncologist and
Preparation for external radiation therapy involves a radiation simulation. It typically includes the steps seen below.
Radiation simulation
- You’ll lie on the same type of table that will be used for your treatment.
- Lying still at the proper angle is very important for treatment success, so your healthcare team may use cushions and restraints to position you for treatment.
- You’ll then undergo CT scans or X-rays to determine the full extent of your cancer and where the radiation should be focused.
- After determining the best location for radiation treatment, your treatment team will mark the area with a very small tattoo, usually the size of a freckle. In certain cases, a permanent tattoo is not needed.
- You’re now ready to begin radiation therapy.
Read more: “How to Prepare for Radiation Treatment”
External radiation therapy can take place during treatment sessions several days a week for multiple weeks. Often, the person is given each weekend off from therapy, which helps restore healthy cells.
Sometimes, people receive radiation therapy less often or as a one-time dose. For some IV radiation treatments, it may take place once every few months.
The total number of treatments depends on the size and type of cancer.
At each session, you’ll lie on the treatment table, and your team will position you and apply the same types of cushions and restraints used during your initial radiation simulation. They may also position protective coverings or shields on or around you to protect other body parts from unnecessary radiation.
Radiation therapy uses a linear accelerator machine, which directs radiation at the appropriate spot. The machine may move around the table in order to direct the radiation at the appropriate angles. The machine may also make a buzzing sound.
You should feel no pain during the session. You’ll also be able to communicate with your team via the room’s intercom, if necessary. Your doctors will be nearby in an adjacent room, monitoring the session.
Each session can take about
During the weeks of treatment, your care team will closely monitor your treatment schedule and dosing, and your general health.
You’ll undergo several imaging scans and tests during radiation so your doctors can observe how well you’re responding to treatment. These scans and tests can also tell them if they need to make any changes to your treatment.
If you experience side effects from radiation — even if they’re expected — tell your doctor at your next appointment. Sometimes, even small changes can make a big difference in limiting side effects. At the very least, you may receive advice or medication to help ease the discomfort.
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-frequency waves to destroy cancer cells. You can receive it externally from a machine or internally through medications or injections to the affected area.
Doctors determine the type of radiation and dose based on the type and location of the cancer, your general health, and other factors. They determine the dosage to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
Radiation therapy may cause side effects, including fatigue, skin irritation, and hair loss, among others. However, you may manage or limit some side effects through other treatments or practices.