Radiation damages the cancer cells causing them to stop multiplying. We asked radiation oncologist Valerie Reed, M. Four types of radiation therapy are frequently used at MD Anderson when a tumor is close to sensitive organs.
These can be used to treat many types of cancer:. External beam radiation therapies are delivered through a specialized machine directly to the cancer site. As each treatment plan is customized, it is important to discuss your radiation treatment options with your doctor before starting treatment.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling My Chart. Donate Today. For Physicians. Cancer Moonshots. Cancerwise 06 What are the types of radiation therapy used for cancer treatment? Jump To:. June 10, Some types of radiation therapies are used to treat cancers near sensitive organs.
These can be used to treat many types of cancer: 3D conformal radiation therapy 3DCRT uses three-dimensional scans to determine the exact shape and size of the tumor. Radiation beams are shaped by tiny metal leaves arranged to fit the tumor. This is because radiation can cause less damage and the part of the body involved may be more likely to work the way it should after treatment.
For some types of cancer, radiation and chemotherapy or other types of anti-cancer drugs might be used together. Certain drugs called radiosensitizers help radiation work better by making cancer cells more sensitive to radiation.
Research has shown that when anti-cancer drugs and radiation are given together for certain types of cancer, they can help each other work even better than if they were given alone.
One drawback, though, is that side effects are often worse when they are given together. Cancer can spread from where it started to other body parts. In some cases, the area where the cancer most often spreads to may be treated with radiation to kill any cancer cells before they grow into tumors.
For instance, people with certain kinds of lung cancer may get radiation to the head, even when there is no cancer known to be there, because their type of lung cancer often spreads to the brain. This is done to help prevent cancer from spreading to the head even before it can. Sometimes, radiation to prevent future cancer can be given at the same time that radiation is given to treat existing cancer, especially if the area the cancer might spread to is close to the tumor itself.
Sometimes cancer has spread too much to be cured. But some of these tumors can still be treated to make them smaller so that the person can feel better. Radiation might help relieve problems like pain, trouble swallowing or breathing, or bowel blockages that can be caused by advanced cancer. This is called palliative radiation. If a person's cancer has returned recurred , radiation might be used to treat the cancer or to treat symptoms caused by advanced cancer.
You might be positioned with molds to hold you in place. The linear accelerator machine may rotate around your body to reach the target from different directions. The machine makes a buzzing sound.
You'll lie still and breathe normally during the treatment, which takes only a few minutes. For some patients with lung or breast cancer, you might be asked to hold your breath while the machine delivers the treatment. Your radiation therapy team stays nearby in a room with video and audio connections so that you can talk to each other.
You should speak up if you feel uncomfortable, but you shouldn't feel any pain during your radiation therapy session. If you're receiving radiation to a tumor, your doctor may have you undergo periodic scans after your treatment to see how your cancer has responded to radiation therapy. In some cases, your cancer may respond to treatment right away. In other cases, it may take weeks or months for your cancer to respond.
Some people aren't helped by radiation therapy. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Radiation therapy care at Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer. A person may receive radiation therapy alone or in combination with other treatments.
External beam radiation and internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, are the main types of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer. A person may receive it alongside another treatment or alone. Find out why doctors recommend it, what it…. Radiation side effects can include skin changes, nausea, thyroid issues, and more. Here, learn about the types of radiation, the effects, and care….
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Doctors may recommend this therapy in combination with…. What to know about radiation therapy. About Types Method Who it is for Cancer types Before treatment During treatment Other treatments Risks Outlook Summary Radiation therapy is the term for treatment types that use radiation to destroy or shrink cancer cells and tumors. What is radiation therapy?
Types of radiation therapy. How it works. Why people receive radiation therapy. Types of cancer it treats. What to expect before radiation therapy.
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