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Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Alternative NamesTherapy - radiation; Radiotherapy
InformationCancer cells multiply faster than normal cells in the body. Because radiation is most harmful to rapidly growing cells, radiation therapy damages cancer cells more than normal cells. Specifically, radiation therapy damages the DNA of cancer cells. Doing so prevents the cancer cells from growing and dividing. Unfortunately, certain healthy cells can also be killed by this process. The death of healthy cells can lead to side effects.
Radiation therapy is used to fight many types of cancer. It is often used to shrink a tumor as much as possible before surgery. Radiation can also be given after surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back.
For certain types of cancer, radiation is the only treatment needed. Radiation treatment may also be used to provide temporary relief of symptoms, or to treat cancers that cannot be removed with surgery.
There are two forms of radiation therapy:
- External beam radiation is the most common form. This method carefully aims high powered x-rays or particles directly at the tumor from outside of the body.
- Internal beam radiation uses radioactive seeds that are placed directly into or near the tumor. Internal beam radiation is also called interstitial radiation or brachytherapy.
The following are some commonly used radioactive substances:
- Cesium (137Cs)
- Cobalt(60Co)
- Iodine (131I)
- Phosphorus (32P)
- Gold (198Au)
- Iridium (192Ir)
- Yttrium (90Y)
- Palladium (103Pd)
Radiation therapy can have many side effects. These side effects depend on the part of the body receiving radiation, the dose of radiation, and how often you have the therapy.
- Hair loss
- Skin pain
- Red, burning skin
- Shedding of the outer layer of skin (desquamation)
- Increased skin coloring (hyperpigmentation)
- Thinning of skin tissue (atrophy)
- Itching
- Fatigue and malaise
- Low blood counts
- Difficulty or painful swallowing
- Edema (swelling of skin and soft tissues)
- Changes in taste
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased susceptibility to infection
Radiation therapy can be harmful to a developing baby in the womb during pregnancy.
ReferencesPerry MC. Principles of cancer therapy. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 192.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoRadiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Alternative NamesTherapy - radiation; Radiotherapy
InformationCancer cells multiply faster than normal cells in the body. Because radiation is most harmful to rapidly growing cells, radiation therapy damages cancer cells more than normal cells. Specifically, radiation therapy damages the DNA of cancer cells. Doing so prevents the cancer cells from growing and dividing. Unfortunately, certain healthy cells can also be killed by this process. The death of healthy cells can lead to side effects.
Radiation therapy is used to fight many types of cancer. It is often used to shrink a tumor as much as possible before surgery. Radiation can also be given after surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back.
For certain types of cancer, radiation is the only treatment needed. Radiation treatment may also be used to provide temporary relief of symptoms, or to treat cancers that cannot be removed with surgery.
There are two forms of radiation therapy:
- External beam radiation is the most common form. This method carefully aims high powered x-rays or particles directly at the tumor from outside of the body.
- Internal beam radiation uses radioactive seeds that are placed directly into or near the tumor. Internal beam radiation is also called interstitial radiation or brachytherapy.
The following are some commonly used radioactive substances:
- Cesium (137Cs)
- Cobalt(60Co)
- Iodine (131I)
- Phosphorus (32P)
- Gold (198Au)
- Iridium (192Ir)
- Yttrium (90Y)
- Palladium (103Pd)
Radiation therapy can have many side effects. These side effects depend on the part of the body receiving radiation, the dose of radiation, and how often you have the therapy.
- Hair loss
- Skin pain
- Red, burning skin
- Shedding of the outer layer of skin (desquamation)
- Increased skin coloring (hyperpigmentation)
- Thinning of skin tissue (atrophy)
- Itching
- Fatigue and malaise
- Low blood counts
- Difficulty or painful swallowing
- Edema (swelling of skin and soft tissues)
- Changes in taste
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased susceptibility to infection
Radiation therapy can be harmful to a developing baby in the womb during pregnancy.
ReferencesPerry MC. Principles of cancer therapy. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 192.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/02/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What is internal radiation therapy also called?
It is sometimes called radiation therapy, radiation therapy, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation
How is radiation therapy administered?
Radiation therapy is delivered via external radiation or via internal radiation therapy (the implantation/injection of radioactive substances).
Can radiation be transferred to your clothes through radiation therapy?
Radiation Therapy is not transferred to clothing.
Is Radiation therapy a local treatment?
Radiation therapy is a local treatment
What happens in external radiation therapy?
In external radiation therapy a beam of radiation is directed from outside the body at the cancer
What you call the amount of radiation therapy?
Radiation Therapy dose is measured in Gray (abbrev. Gy).
Does Prostate cancer respond to radiation therapy?
Prostate cancer responds well to radiation therapy
What are some of the better radiation therapy schools?
If you are interested in taking a couple courses on radiation therapy, then there are many different kinds of schools that offer different courses in radiation therapy.
What is Radiation therapy also called?
It is sometimes called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation
What is electron beam therapy also called?
It is sometimes called cobalt therapy, radiation therapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, radiotherapy, or irradiation
What is cobalt therapy also called?
It is sometimes called radiation therapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, radiotherapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation
What is radiotherapy also called?
It is sometimes called radiation therapy, x-ray therapy radiation treatment, cobalt therapy, electron beam therapy, or irradiation
