Radiation Therapy

Understanding Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses targeted radiation such as X-rays to safely and effectively treat cancer. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, stopping them from multiplying and allowing the body to naturally eliminate them. Unlike cancer cells, healthy cells are usually able to repair themselves.

The goals of radiation therapy can be:

Radiation has been used in medicine for over 120 years, and about two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy during their treatment.

Types & Techniques of Radiation Therapy

Main Types of Radiation Therapy

External Beam Radiation Therapy: Beams of radiation delivered from a machine (linear accelerator) outside the body. Advanced forms include stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SBRT).
Brachytherapy: Placement of radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumor.
Systemic Radiation Therapy: Radioactive drugs that circulate through the bloodstream to treat cancers throughout the body.

Techniques in External Beam Therapy

3D-CRT (Conformal Radiotherapy): Uses CT, MRI, or PET scans to shape radiation precisely to the tumor.
IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy): Shapes and modulates radiation beams for greater precision.
IGRT (Image Guided Radiotherapy): Uses imaging during treatment to target tumors that may shift or move.
SRS/SBRT (Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Body Radiotherapy): Very high doses of radiation given with extreme accuracy, often in fewer sessions, for brain and body tumors.

Types of Beams Used

Photon (X-rays): Most common, delivered by modern linear accelerators like CyberKnife, Versa HD, or TomoTherapy.
Electrons: Useful for treating shallow tumors.
Protons & Carbon Ions: Advanced therapies that minimize damage to healthy tissue, often used for pediatric cancers or tumors near critical structures.

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Safety, Side Effects & Patient Experience

Side Effects

Most side effects depend on the area being treated and are usually temporary, mild, and manageable. They often begin in the second or third week of therapy and subside within a couple of months after treatment.

Is Radiation Therapy Safe?

Yes. Radiation therapy has been safely and effectively used for over a century. Modern technology ensures precise delivery, minimizing risks and protecting surrounding tissues.

You are not radioactive after external beam therapy—the radiation does not remain in your body.
Each treatment is carefully planned and monitored by a radiation oncologist and medical physicists to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness.

Radiation therapy today is a highly advanced, safe, and effective cornerstone of modern cancer treatment.

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