Radiotherapy involves the use of ionizing radiation.
Radiotherapy can be administered externally (where a device outside the body directs radiation to cancer cells) or internally (where the radiation source is placed inside the body or near the cancer cells). In some cases, patients may receive both types of radiotherapy. Radiation types such as X-rays, gamma rays, and electrons are used with the aim of destroying malignant cells, preventing their spread, and, in certain cases, treating benign tumors, while minimizing damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. This treatment method may be used as the sole therapy for your condition, as the primary treatment, or to complement other therapies. For example, it may be applied before surgery (to reduce tumor size), after surgery (to clear the area and surgical margins or eliminate residual tumor cells), or in combination with chemotherapy, either simultaneously, before, or after chemotherapy, as the main or complementary treatment.
Radiotherapy can be administered externally (when a machine outside the body directs radiation at cancer cells) or internally (when the radiation source is placed inside the body or near the cancer cells). In some cases, patients may receive both types of radiation therapy.
