Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which stops them from dividing and growing. Unlike chemotherapy, which can treat cancer throughout the body, radiation therapy is usually a local treatment aimed at a specific part of the body.
There are two main types of radiation therapy:
- External Beam Radiation: This is the most common type, where radiation is delivered from a machine outside the body. It can target the cancer very precisely, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy): This involves placing a source of radiation inside your body, close to the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can be used as a standalone treatment, or it can be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. The goal can be curative or palliative, to control symptoms. Side effects depend on the treatment area and can include skin irritation, fatigue, and other specific effects related to the area being treated. The planning and delivery of radiation therapy are highly individualized, taking into account the type of cancer, its location, the patient's health, and other factors.