Significance

• RT treats nearly all solid cancer tumors, including cancers of the bladder, breast, liver, pancreas, skin, stomach and vagina. RT also treats leukemia and lymphoma, which are cancers of the blood.
  
  

Function

• During RT, waves of energy damage the genetic material in cancer cells. In this way, RT shrinks cancerous tumors or eliminates them entirely.
  
  

Types

• RT is administered internally, externally or systemically. During external RT, a machine outside your body (a linear accelerator) administers the radiation dose. During internal RT, the radiation dose is implanted inside your body. During systemic RT, radiation is taken by mouth or injected into your body.
  
  

Effects

• RT often causes fatigue as well as swelling, redness and hair loss in the treatment area. In rare cases, RT may cause new cancers to form 5 to 9 years after you finish treatment.
  
  

Expert Insight

• The Mayo Clinic (2009) notes that every cancer patient responds differently to RT. Some cancer patients respond immediately to RT, some respond after a few weeks of treatment and others don't respond at all.