Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a kind of cancer treatment. It uses a beam of high energy to destroy cells that cause cancer. Radiotherapy mostly uses X-rays, but it can also use other radiation types, including proton radiation.

Modern radiation methods are accurate. They aim high-energy beams at cancer and, at the same time, protect healthy tissues against too much radiation exposure.

How It Works

A high-dose of radiation therapy can kill cancerous cells or slow their growth by removing their DNA. Cancerous cells whose DNA has been damaged beyond repair will die or stop dividing. When damaged cells die, they are removed and broken down in the body.

According to experts at UEW Healthcare, radiotherapy doesn’t destroy cancerous cells immediately. It takes several days or even weeks before fully destroying DNA. Afterward, cancerous cells will die for weeks and months after radiotherapy.

The Goals of Radiotherapy

Mostly, types of radiotherapy don’t reach every part of the patient’s body. This means it isn’t helpful when it comes to treating cancer, which has spread in places in the body.

Radiotherapy can still be used in treating different kinds of cancer, alone or with other treatments. Although it is vital to remember every cancer and person isn’t the same, radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for the following reasons:

  • Shrink or cure early-stage cancers
  • Treat cancers that have reoccurred or returned
  • Treat symptoms in advanced cancer
  • Prevent cancer from reoccurring or coming back

What to Expect

For EBRT (external beam radiation therapy), you can plan an appointment, referred to as a simulation. This simulation involves the step of planning treatment and customizing your treatment. This simulation may also further involve:

  • Getting scans – You will get an MRI or CT scan showing the tumor’s location. This information helps the care team customize X-rays that target tumors while sparing healthy tissues.
  • Getting in position – Well, you are positioned on the table as you would during different treatment sessions. Your radiotherapy team can use a mask or mold to hold your body in position while ensuring correct alignment.

As for internal radiotherapy, you will need an imaging and physical examination. Your team, including the oncologist, is going to explain how you may get prepared for the procedure depending on how you will go through the treatment.

During the treatment, your oncologist will also need to check how the radiotherapy is working. Basically, this can happen once or twice a week. And if you want to, you may ask your oncologist and their team to adjust your plan for treatment.

When getting treated, you may as well experience sensitive skin and fatigue. Not to mention, you may experience emotional distress. So it is best to take enough rest and take good care of yourself throughout the treatment.

The Takeaway

Radiotherapy remains a popular cancer treatment. An individual can receive radiotherapy alone or get a combination of several other treatments. With a good doctor by your side, you will make the right decisions based on your age, stage of the illness, and overall healthcare history.