Radiation Therapy
Radiation destroys the ability of cells to grow and divide. Although it affects both normal and diseased cells, research has shown that malignant cells are more sensitive to radiation than normal cells, and many normal cells are able to quickly recover from radiation exposure.
Radiation therapy (RT or XRT) is a medical treatment that uses X-rays, gamma rays radioactive isotopes or other forms of radiation to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. A patient is exposed to radiation in a carefully controlled environment designed to offer maximum protection for normal health tissue while targeting malignant cells with the radiation therapy.
The most common type of radiation therapy is delivered externally. This involves directing a high-energy beam at the tumor site for a few minutes over a period of days or weeks - depending on the type, location and extent of the cancer - until the malignant tissue has absorbed enough radiation to kill it.
A second type of radiation therapy involves inserting a small amount of radioactive material directly into or near the malignancy. This is referred to as internal radiation therapy. |
