Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams (X-rays, protons, or other particles) to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors by damaging their DNA. About half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some point. Modern techniques like IMRT and stereotactic radiosurgery deliver precise doses while sparing healthy tissue.

Radiation treats many cancers including breast, lung, prostate, head and neck, brain, and rectal cancers. It can be curative (alone or with surgery), adjuvant (after surgery to kill remaining cells), palliative (to relieve symptoms), or prophylactic (to prevent cancer in a specific area).

A planning session (simulation) maps the treatment area using CT scanning. Tiny permanent tattoo marks guide daily positioning. Custom molds may be made for immobilization. Treatment plans are designed by radiation oncologists and medical physicists using computer modeling.

External beam radiation is delivered in daily sessions (fractions), typically Monday through Friday for 3-7 weeks. Each session takes 15-30 minutes, with the actual radiation lasting only minutes. You lie still on a table while the machine rotates around you. The treatment is painless.

Side effects develop gradually over the treatment course and peak 1-2 weeks after completion. They are generally localized to the treatment area. Most acute side effects resolve within 2-6 weeks after treatment ends.

Side effects depend on the treatment area: skin irritation (like sunburn), fatigue, mouth sores (head/neck), difficulty swallowing, diarrhea (pelvic radiation), and urinary symptoms. Long-term risks include secondary cancers (very rare) and tissue fibrosis.

Alternatives depend on cancer type and stage: surgery alone, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, active surveillance, or combinations. The choice is made by a multidisciplinary tumor board.

Covered by all insurance plans as essential cancer treatment. Costs depend on the type of radiation, number of treatments, and facility. Proton therapy may have limited coverage due to higher costs.