What is Radiotherapy?
If you have diagnosed with cancer radiation may be considered as part of the therapeutic protocol.
The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and tumor that developed in your body.
What types of radiation exist?
There are 2 types of radiation:
- External radiation – The radiation is given by an external device emitted by the emitter near the affected area.
- Internal radiation, brachytherapy – A radioactive substance is inserted with a tube into the body near the tumor.
In many cases, radiation will be given prior to surgery in order to shrink and reduce the tumor.
When the oncologist will consider to the usage of radiation for my condition?
In cases which only the tumor and some surrounding tissue is removed it is not common to add radiation.
Radiation will sometimes be considered to ensure that no cancer cells remain that were not seen during surgery but remained in the area.
In cases of partial removal, radiation will be used to kill cancer cells remaining in the post- operation zone and to slow down the growth rate of the remaining tumor.
Radiation will sometimes be combined with chemotherapy – Chemoradiotherapy
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