Radiation Therapy for Cancer

Radiation therapy may be an option, either when surgery is not feasible or when the surgeon isn't able to remove the tumor completely. However, it may be the first choice when the cancer is localized and its cells are radiosensitive, as, for example, in prostate cancer. The high-energy rays destroy the cancer cells, or damage them so that they stop growing and dividing. Radiation is delivered either externally or internally from an implant, in which case a small radioactive container is placed directly into or near the tumor. (Some patients with prostate cancer receive both internal and external radiation.) External radiation is usually administered on an outpatient basis five days a week for several weeks. It doesn't leave you radioactive; you can't spread the rays to those near you. Internal radiation therapy, on the other hand, requires an operation in order to implant the radioactive receptacle. Implants may be permanent or removed after a certain period of time.

Learn about managing the side effects of treatment