used to:
• Cure cancer by destroying cancer cells
There are two types of radiation therapy.
With external radiation therapy, a machine directs high-energy rays at the
cancer. This is the most common type used. The skin is marked with ink so
that the treatment is done at the same spot each time. The treatment is often
done 5 days a week for 6-7 weeks. The first appointment may take a few
hours but after that, treatments only take a few minutes.
With internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy or implant
therapy, the radiation source is put in the body in or near the cancer. It is
sealed in a small holder called an implant. The implant may be thin wires,
plastic tubes, capsules, or seeds. The implant is placed for a few hours, a few
days, or it may be left in place. Your doctor will decide the amount of time
that the implant will be in place. If it is to be left in your body, the implant
will lose its radioactivity in a short time. Internal radiation allows the doctor
to give a higher total dose of radiation in a shorter time than can be done
with external treatment.
Internal radiation therapy may also be done using radioactive liquid that is
taken by mouth or put into the body. Your doctor will talk about safety
measures to take at home and around other people. These measures will be
for a limited time.
Your doctor may order both types of radiation therapy. Radiation may be
used alone or with other cancer treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.
treatment site. The effects on normal cells are called treatment side effects.
The most common side effects are feeling tired, nausea, vomiting and skin