Radiation how does it work

Most people receive radiation therapy for just a few minutes. Sometimes, people receive internal radiation therapy for more time. If so, they stay in a private room to limit other people's exposure to the radiation.

Intraoperative radiation therapy IORT. This treatment delivers radiation therapy to the tumor during surgery using either external-beam or internal radiation therapy. IORT allows surgeons to move away healthy tissue in advance. This treatment is useful when vital organs are close to the tumor. Systemic radiation therapy. Patients swallow or receive an injection of radioactive material that targets cancer cells. The radioactive material leaves the body through saliva, sweat, and urine.

These fluids are radioactive and people in close contact with the patient should take the safety measures recommended by the health care team. An example of this is radioactive iodine therapy RAI; I for thyroid cancer. This is a type of systemic therapy.

It uses monoclonal antibodies, which are proteins that are attracted to very specific markers on the outside of cancer cells, to deliver radiation directly to the tumors. Because the treatment uses these special antibodies, there is less effect on surrounding normal tissue. An example is ibritumomab Zevalin , which is used in the treatment of some lymphomas. Radiosensitizers and radioprotectors.

Researchers are studying radiosensitizers. These are substances that help radiation therapy better destroy tumors. Radioprotectors are substances that protect healthy tissues near the treatment area. Examples of radiosensitizers include fluorouracil 5-FU, Adrucil and cisplatin Platinol. Amifostine Ethyol is an example of a radioprotector. Doctors have safely and effectively used radiation therapy to treat cancer for more than years. Having radiation therapy slightly increases the risk of developing a second cancer.

But for many people, radiation therapy eliminates the existing cancer. This benefit is greater than the small risk that the treatment could cause a new cancer in the future. During external-beam radiation therapy, the patient does not become radioactive. And the radiation remains in the treatment room.

However, internal radiation therapy causes the patient to give off radiation. As a result, visitors should follow these safety measures:.

Permanent implants remain radioactive after the patient leaves the hospital. Because of this, for 2 months, the patient should not have close or more than 5 minutes of contact with children or pregnant women. Similarly, people who have had systemic radiation therapy should use safety precautions. For the first few days after treatment, take these safety measures:. What is the goal of having radiation therapy? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?

Will special precautions be needed to protect my family and others from radiation therapy I receive? This 1-page printable PDF gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects, terms to know, and questions to ask the health care team. Understanding Radiation Therapy Approved by the Cancer. What are the goals of radiation therapy?

What is external-beam radiation therapy? The types of external-beam radiation therapy are: Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy 3D-CRT. What is internal radiation therapy? Types of internal radiation therapy include: Permanent implants. The machine makes a buzzing sound. You'll lie still and breathe normally during the treatment, which takes only a few minutes. For some patients with lung or breast cancer, you might be asked to hold your breath while the machine delivers the treatment.

Your radiation therapy team stays nearby in a room with video and audio connections so that you can talk to each other. You should speak up if you feel uncomfortable, but you shouldn't feel any pain during your radiation therapy session. If you're receiving radiation to a tumor, your doctor may have you undergo periodic scans after your treatment to see how your cancer has responded to radiation therapy. In some cases, your cancer may respond to treatment right away.

In other cases, it may take weeks or months for your cancer to respond. Some people aren't helped by radiation therapy. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.

Radiation therapy care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Radiation therapy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Radiation therapy External beam radiation uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. External beam radiation therapy Open pop-up dialog box Close.

External beam radiation therapy During external beam radiation therapy, you're positioned on a table and a large machine moves around you sending beams of radiation into precise points in your body. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Radiation therapy and you: Support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute. Depending on the area being treated, you may receive a small mark on your skin. This will help your team aim the radiation beam at the tumor.

For radiation therapy to the head or neck, you may receive a thermoplastic mask. This is a mesh mask that is molded to your face and secured to the table. It gently holds your head in place. It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.

Tell them if you experience anxiety lying still in an immobilization device. Your doctor can prescribe medication to help you relax. After the simulation at your first session, your radiation therapy team will review your information and design a treatment plan.

Computer software helps the team develop the plan. What happens during your radiation therapy treatment depends on the kind of radiation therapy you receive. External-beam radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer.

Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body. You will hear clicking or buzzing throughout the treatment and there may be a smell from the machine. Typically, people have treatment sessions 5 times per week, Monday through Friday. This schedule usually continues for 3 to 9 weeks, depending on your personal treatment plan. This type of radiation therapy targets only the tumor. But it will affect some healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.

While most people feel no pain when each treatment is being delivered, effects of treatment slowly build up over time and may include discomfort, skin changes, or other side effects, depending on where in the body treatment is being delivered. The 2-day break in treatment each week allows your body some time to repair this damage. Some of the effects may not go away until the treatment period is completed. Let the health care professionals if you are experiencing side effects. Read more about the side effects of radiation therapy.

Internal radiation therapy is also called brachytherapy. This includes both temporary and permanent placement of radioactive sources at the site of the tumor. Typically, you will have repeated treatments across a number of days and weeks. These treatments may require a brief hospital stay. You may need anesthesia to block the awareness of pain while the radioactive sources are placed in the body.

Most people feel little to no discomfort during this treatment. But some may experience weakness or nausea from the anesthesia.

You will need to take precautions to protect others from radiation exposure. Your radiation therapy team will provide these instructions. The need for such precautions ends when:. During your treatment, your radiation oncologist will check how well it is working.

Typically, this will happen at least once a week. If needed, they may adjust your treatment plan. Many people experience fatigue, sensitive skin at the site of radiation exposure, and emotional distress during radiation therapy.

It is important to rest and take care of yourself during radiation therapy. Consider these ways to care of yourself:. Learn more about coping during treatment.