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Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of a certain type of energy (radiation) from x-rays, gamma rays, electrons and other sources to destroy cancer cells. Other names for this common method of treating cancer are radiotherapy, x-ray therapy or irradiation.

Radiation in high doses destroys cells in the area being treated by damaging the DNA in their genes, making it impossible for them to grow and divide. During radiation therapy, both cancer cells (which are growing in an uncontrolled way) and healthy cells are affected, but most healthy cells can repair themselves afterwards.

The types of radiation therapy

The different types of radiation therapy are:

• external beam radiation therapy
  (also called external radiation therapy)
• brachytherapy
  (also called internal radiation therapy or implant therapy)
• systemic radiation therapy
  (also called unsealed internal radiation therapy)

Your treatment plan may include more than one type of radiation therapy.

Last modified on:  08 September 2011

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