Radiation Treatments

Radiation treatment is a form of therapy that plays an important role in treating cancer. In this form of therapy, a form of energetic radiation is used to destroy tumor cells in the body. More than half the people with cancer are treated using this therapy. This form of therapy may be external or internal. In external therapy, the treatment source is located outside the body. This is the most common type of treatment and linear accelerators are employed to irradiate the cancer cells. In internal, the source is located inside the body near to the affected region. The source is usually a radioactive isotope of iodine, cesium or iridium. One advantage of internal treatment is that it delivers a much higher dose in a localized area compared to the external treatment.

Depending on the condition of the patient, a particular kind of radiation and dose is selected. The dose is defined as the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissue and is measured in a unit called "gray." The dose is decided according to the kind of tumor and the organs that are located near the region of treatment. Radiation therapy could also be used to reduce symptoms. Such a form is called palliative radiation therapy.

The most common sources of radiations used are X-rays, gamma rays, particle beams, proton beams etc. The kind of radiation is chosen according to the type of tumor. Radiation therapy is effective in treating most forms of cancer.

The few common side-effects to this form of therapy is tiredness, lack of energy, diarrhea, vomiting, skin problems and hair loss.