Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a common treatment for cancer that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA inside cells. Since cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than normal cells, they are especially vulnerable to this damage. Once their DNA is too severely affected, these cells can no longer divide and eventually die.
Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. It can be given before surgery to shrink a tumor, after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells, or as a main treatment when surgery isn’t an option. In other situations, radiation therapy is used to relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or pressure, especially when the cancer cannot be fully cured.
There are two main ways radiation can be delivered. External beam radiation therapy directs radiation beams from a machine outside the body to the tumor. Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, involves placing radioactive material inside the body, either in or very close to the tumor. With advancements in medical technology, radiation can now be delivered with high precision, targeting cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the part of the body being treated. Some people may experience fatigue or skin irritation, while others may have side effects specific to the treatment area, such as difficulty swallowing if the throat is targeted. Most side effects are temporary and can be managed with supportive care.
The overall goal is to destroy cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
