Radiation Therapy

What Is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams—usually X-rays or protons—to target and destroy cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Radiation therapy is delivered by a radiation oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Why Is Radiation Therapy Used?

Radiation therapy may be recommended to:

  • Treat cancer as the main therapy
  • Shrink tumors before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy)
  • Destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery (adjuvant therapy)
  • Relieve symptoms caused by advanced cancer (palliative therapy)

It is commonly used for many types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, head and neck, and brain cancers.

How Is Radiation Therapy Given?

There are two main types of radiation therapy:

  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): The most common type, delivered from a machine outside the body.
  • Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy): Radioactive material is placed inside the body, near the cancer.

Treatment is usually given in daily sessions over several weeks. The exact schedule depends on your specific cancer type and treatment plan.

What to Expect

Radiation therapy is painless, and each treatment session typically lasts only a few minutes. You won’t feel or see the radiation, but it may cause side effects over time, such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Skin irritation or redness in the treatment area
  • Changes in appetite
  • Site-specific side effects (e.g., sore throat, urinary changes)

Your care team will monitor you closely and help manage any side effects.

Your Care Team

Radiation therapy is provided by a specialized team, including:

  • Radiation oncologists
  • Radiation therapists
  • Medical physicists
  • Dosimetrists
  • Oncology nurses

They work together to create a precise, customized treatment plan and support you throughout your care.

Questions?

If you have questions about radiation therapy, side effects, or your treatment plan, please contact your radiation oncology care team. We're here to provide expert care and compassionate support every step of the way.


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Cancer Center

812-376-5550

2400 E 17th St
Columbus IN

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