Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a common and effective way to treat cancer. It uses high energy rays or particles to target and destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy tissues. 

If you need radiation therapy, a health care specialist called a radiation oncologist will work with you to create a treatment plan. Your plan will be based on the type of cancer you have, your overall health, your goals and your preferences.

You may have radiation therapy on its own or combined with surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. 

How radiation therapy works to treat cancer

Radiation therapy damages the DNA in cancer cells, which stops them from growing and dividing. Over time, these damaged cells die and your body gets rid of them naturally. 

Unlike chemotherapy, which treats cancer throughout your body, radiation therapy is used to treat specific areas of the body.

Health care providers use radiation therapy for different reasons.

• As your main treatment: It may shrink or destroy a tumor by eliminating the cancer cells and may be the only treatment you need.
• Before surgery: It may make a tumor smaller so it’s easier to remove. This is called neoadjuvant therapy.
• After surgery: It can get rid of any remaining cancer cells and lower the risk of recurrence (cancer coming back). This is called adjuvant therapy.
• With other treatments: It can help make chemotherapy or immunotherapy work better.
• To relieve symptoms: It can reduce pain or discomfort in advanced cancers.

Types of radiation therapy

There are two main types of radiation treatment. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses a machine to deliver radiation to the cancer site from outside your body. Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, places radioactive material near or inside the tumor.

The type and amount of radiation therapy you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have, where it’s located and your treatment goals. Your radiation oncologist will recommend the option that is best for you.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

EBRT is the most common type of radiation therapy. It sends radiation beams precisely to the tumor from a machine outside your body. The goal is to eliminate cancer cells while protecting healthy tissues.

EBRT can include advanced techniques such as:

• Conformal radiation therapy: This method molds radiation beams to the exact shape of the tumor. It can improve accuracy and reduce damage to healthy tissues.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This technique uses computers to adjust the intensity of the beam. It can deliver high doses of radiation to cancer cells while protecting nearby areas.
• Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT): This advanced type of IMRT delivers continuous radiation beams in an arc around your body. It’s fast and precise, so your treatment sessions are shorter but you don’t sacrifice quality.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): This treatment delivers targeted high doses of radiation in fewer treatments. It may be an option for small tumors in the lungs, liver or spine.
• Radiosurgery (cone vs. multileaf collimation): This highly focused therapy treats brain tumors and other areas where extreme precision is needed. 
• Proton therapy: This option uses protons instead of X-rays to deliver energy directly to the tumor, so there’s less damage to healthy tissues that are nearby.
• Electron beam therapy: Electron therapy is typically only used to treat tumors that are close to the surface of the skin, like skin cancer, since the beams don’t penetrate deeply.

Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)

Brachytherapy places radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor. It delivers a high dose of radiation to a concentrated area. Because the radiation stays close to the tumor, healthy tissues aren’t damaged as much. Your provider may recommend this treatment for prostate or cervical. 

There are two types of brachytherapy:

• Low-dose rate (LDR): Small implants are placed inside the body. They emit radiation slowly over days or weeks.
• High-dose rate (HDR): A stronger dose of radiation is given during a treatment session and removed afterward.

Systemic radiation therapy is another form of internal therapy. It treats certain cancers, like thyroid cancer, with radioactive drugs that are swallowed or injected. 

What to expect during radiation therapy

Your health care team will walk you through what to expect before, during and after treatment.

Before treatment

Before you receive radiation therapy, your care team will map the tumor with CT, MRI or PET imaging scans. You’ll also have a simulation session to make sure you’re positioned precisely for your actual therapy. Your radiation oncologist will create a plan to deliver the best dose of radiation for you.

During treatment

Treatment sessions vary based on the type of radiation therapy you need:

EBRT sessions are painless and usually last a few minutes. The number of sessions depends on your type of cancer. You will have weekly monitoring visits with your radiation oncologist during these sessions.

Brachytherapy is a surgical procedure that is generally performed in an outpatient setting.

After treatment

After therapy, your care team will check your progress and manage any side effects in follow-up visits. 

Side effects and safety

Radiation therapy is highly effective but it may cause side effects. How severe they are depends on the type of cancer you have, the amount of radiation you receive and other factors.

Common side effects include:

• Fatigue, which can last for weeks after treatment
• Skin changes like redness, dryness or peeling in the treated area
• Hair loss in treated areas
• Digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea if your abdomen is treated
• Mouth ulcers if your head, mouth or neck are treated

Rare long term side effects can include neurological issues, heart problems (particularly if you are already at risk) and changes in bone density. 

Most side effects get better over time. Your care team will support you and offer strategies that can help you manage any side effects.

Is radiation therapy right for you?

Your health care provider will consider several factors before recommending radiation therapy:

• The type of cancer
• How advanced the cancer is
• The size and location of your tumor
• Your overall health

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your needs. It’s important to talk about your options with a specialist. 

Treating osteoarthritis with low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) 

Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, often affecting the hips, knees, back, or hands. Treatments typically include medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

One lesser-known option is low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), which uses small, targeted doses of radiation to reduce inflammation, helping to relieve pain and improve mobility. It’s noninvasive, painless, requires no recovery time, and may be a good alternative if other treatments haven’t worked or if surgery isn’t an option.

Why choose Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center?

At Banner MD Anderson, our expert team will create a personalized radiation treatment plan. We have the equipment and expertise to offer advanced radiation therapy techniques like IMRT/VMAT, SBRT and HDR brachytherapy. And our support services help you manage side effects and recovery, so you feel your best during and after treatment.