| After radiation treatment
If you are considering radiation therapy as a means of cancer care, your doctor will be able to outline the care strategy for your case, including how often you will need treatment, when the treatment will end and what results you can expect.
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| How is radiation used?
A common form of cancer treatment is external radiation. Powerful X-rays made by a large machine called a linear accelerator are carefully aimed at the tumor.
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| Self-care during treatment
Radiation therapy will probably have an effect on your stamina and strength, so remember to take good care of yourself. Don't hesitate to sleep longer at night or take naps when you feel tired.
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| Treatment risks
Radiation therapy is not without risks. The radioactive elements used will damage healthy cells that can result in hair loss, skin changes, and sores or ulcers, depending on where the radiation is directed.
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| Types of radiation equipment
The most common form of radiation therapy is external radiation aimed directly at the tumor. These X-rays are emitted by large machines called linear accelerators.
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| What about the side effects?
Many patients fear undergoing radiation therapy because they have heard stories of side effects that make the cure sound worse than the disease. While adverse effects do occur, constantly improved techniques have minimized complications.
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| What is brachytherapy?
One type of radiation technology designed to treat patients with specific cancers is high-dose brachytherapy (BRAK-ih-THARE-ih-pee). Brachytherapy uses special catheters, or tiny hollow tubes, to deliver a small radioactive 'pellet' straight to the site of a cancerous tumor, particularly in the lungs or prostate.
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| What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy uses X-rays several times stronger than those needed for common diagnostic purposes to deliver a steady dose of radiation to the cancer site.
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