Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of radiation to safely treat and manage cancer. Radiation oncologists use radiation to eradicate cancer cells, reduce their growth or relieve symptoms of cancer.

Radiation therapy treats cancer by damaging cancer cells while limiting the impact to healthy cells. It works because cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than healthy, normal cells. When a small dose of radiation is given each day over several weeks, normal cells can recover from the radiation, but cancer cells cannot.

Radiation therapy is typically a painless treatment, similar to having an x-ray, and is only delivered to the part of the body being treated.

Radiation therapy treatment is unique to each person and can affect the body in different ways. The most common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion or lack of energy. Some people may also experience bowel or bladder irritation as they progress through treatment.

As radiation is targeted to a specific area of the body, other side effects are often contained to the area being treated. Site-specific effects may include skin irritation (redness, dryness, itching, peeling or blistering), pain, swelling and hair loss in the area being treated.

The below table provides examples of other side effects some people may experience, depending on the area being treated.

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How long do side effects last?

Although most radiation therapy side effects are temporary and resolve after treatment has finished, there is a possibility that long-term effects may occur. Your radiation oncologist and treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience before your treatment begins.

Once you have commenced treatment, it is important to let your treating team know of any effects you notice or that are making you uncomfortable. At Icon Cancer Centre, the comfort of our patients is a priority; we are always there to help find ways to manage any side effects experienced.

Radiation therapy treatment can be delivered on its own, or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormones and surgery. It is commonly undertaken as an outpatient service—these are medical services that do not require hospital admission.

At Icon, we use cutting-edge radiation therapy techniques and technology to deliver pinpoint accurate radiation to the tumour. Our technology and expertise allows us to accurately treat all cancer types of various size, type and location.

Treatment is usually given in daily intervals (Monday to Friday) over several weeks, allowing enough radiation to target cancer cells while providing healthy cells enough time to recuperate. A radiation therapy treatment session may only last 15 to 20 minutes.

A single course of radiation therapy is unique to each person and their condition. This includes the site and stage of the disease, type of disease, a person’s age and general health.