About Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a form of high energy x-ray which can destroy or prevent the spread of cancer. The goal is to target cancer, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy cells.

Treatment varies by the location of the cancer. Your doctor will help you make an informed decision about which treatment options may be right for you.

Regarding your treatment plan, please keep in mind that:

• It may involve one or more of the three main types of treatment: radiation therapy, surgery, and drug therapy (medications like chemotherapy that travel through the bloodstream to attack cancer anywhere in the body.
• Your doctors may prescribe a treatment plan that combines treatments.

The combination of treatment types may need to take place in a specific order to best treat your specific condition.

Your health care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan. If that includes radiation therapy, the team will talk to you about your treatment goals.