Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays for the treatment of disease, primarily cancer. Radiation can be an effective treatment for many cancers, and is designed to work by preventing cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Radiation damages the tumor cells and can help prevent them from dividing. The goal is to slow or stop the growth of the tumor. In many cases, the tumor may be completely destroyed.

Common Radiation Questions:

What is radiation?

It is the use of high-energy X-rays to treat diseases.

What are the radiation treatments like?

You will be asked to lie on a treatment table in a certain position and hold very still. The treatment machine will move to a predetermined position, and you will not feel or see the radiation. Take a virtual tour of the radiation therapy room.

How long will treatments take?

The treatment takes only 15-30 minutes each day. The course of treatment is usually 5 days a week for 2-8 weeks.

Who will give me my treatments?

The treatments are planned by your radiation oncologist and the medical physicist, the dosimetrist, and administered by the radiation therapists.

What things should I do during treatment?

Continue your normal lifestyle and daily activities. Eat well and get plenty of rest. Do not scrub off temporary marks placed on your skin until told to do so. Do not apply any salves, direct heat or cold, lotions, or other self-remedies to the skin area being treated, unless recommended by your healthcare team.