Health Topics for Cancer

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Radiation therapy

Cancerous tumors are made up of abnormal cells that grow rapidly. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to stop the growth of these cancer cells. This type of therapy eases the symptoms caused by cancer and can cure some cancers.

Radiation can be used alone, but it is most often combined with surgery or chemotherapy. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery, or to destroy cancer cells that are left after surgery.

There are two kinds of radiation therapy. One source of radiation is delivered from outside the body. The radiation is directed toward the tumor. The second kind uses an internal radiation source that is placed next to or within the tumor.

Radiation therapy can cause damage to normal cells in the area of the tumor and death of tumor cells. This can result in several side effects such as:

• loss of head and body hair
• increased risk of infection
• bleeding problems
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• weakness, tiredness, and fatigue
• sores in the mouth and
• skin sores

If the side effects become severe, treatment may be stopped for a while, or the dose lowered. In extreme cases, treatment may be discontinued. The usual length for radiation treatment is 6-8 weeks of small daily doses. This allows the body to tolerate the treatment better.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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