What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is the delivery of high energy x-rays carried by waves or particles, to the diseased areas of your body. The energy damages the DNA of the cancerous cells and interferes with their ability to grow and spread.

One of the benefits of radiation therapy is the ability to target a very specific area in the body. The technology allows us, in most instances, to focus the radiation only on those areas where cancerous cells are present; thus, fewer healthy cells are exposed to radiation.

External radiation treatment is painless. Similar to having an X-ray taken, there is no sensation at the time of treatment. There may be some side effects depending on the area being treated. Your doctor will discuss this with you before treatment.

To maximize the effectiveness of the radiation on the cancerous cells, the treatment procedure may last only a few minutes. Still, the radiation is monitored and adjusted over a period of six to eight weeks and typically five days a week. Of course, the schedule may vary depending on the type and severity of the cancer, as well as the specific treatment method used.