What is radiation therapy?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 50-year-old male. I am reaching out to seek information and guidance regarding radiation therapy. I want to know how the treatment is administered, the duration of sessions, and the overall timeline of the therapy. What are the potential side effects of radiation therapy, and how can they be managed? What are radiation therapy's expected outcomes and success rates in treating cancer?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. At low doses, radiation is used in X-rays to see inside your body, as with X-rays of your teeth or broken bones. Radiotherapy can be given as external radiotherapy – where a machine directs beams of radiation at the cancer. A radioactive implant inside your body near the cancer. The duration of radiotherapy depends on the type and location of the tumor and whether for curative intent or palliative intention. The side effects of radiotherapy depend upon the dose, duration, and location of the tumor. The side effects can be acute and long-term depending upon the dose of radiation therapy and location. The success of treatment depends upon the histopathological variant of the tumor and the location.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.