HomeHealth TopicsSurgery RehabilitationRadiation Therapy
Back to Surgery Rehabilitation
Radiation Therapy
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Surgery Rehabilitation

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to target and kill cancer cells, often serving as a critical component of comprehensive cancer treatment.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. It may also be used for easing cancer symptoms. Radiation therapy may damage healthy cells. They can usually repair themselves more easily than cancer cells.

You may need days or weeks of treatment before the radiation starts killing cancer cells. But cancer cells should keep dying for weeks or months after your treatment ends.

When is radiation therapy used for cancer treatment?

Radiation therapy treats many types of cancer. It may be used at different times or for different reasons during your treatment. Sometimes radiation is used with other treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

How is radiation therapy given?

You may get radiation therapy once a day or in smaller doses twice a day for a few weeks. The radiation may be external, from special machines, or internal from radioactive substances placed inside your body.

The type of radiation therapy you get depends on many factors, including:

  • The type of cancer
  • The size of the cancer
  • Where the cancer is in your body
  • How close the cancer is to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation
  • How far the radiation needs to travel into your body
  • Your general health and medical history
  • Whether you will have other types of cancer treatment
  • Other factors, such as your age and other medical conditions

What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Your treatment must be carefully planned to reduce side effects. Radiation therapy can damage normal cells as well as cancer cells. Healthy cells usually repair themselves but damaging them can cause side effects.

Side effects can vary from person to person. Common side effects include skin changes and fatigue. Other side effects depend on the part of your body being treated. Most side effects go away a few months after you are done with treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment may be paused if you develop acute side effects that threaten your health (e.g., severe skin ulceration, uncontrolled infection, significant weight loss, or unexpected organ toxicity). Temporary breaks of up to 1‑2 weeks are generally acceptable and do not markedly reduce tumor control, but longer interruptions can lower effectiveness. Your radiation oncologist will weigh risks and may adjust the total dose or add “catch‑up” fractions to maintain the prescribed biologic effect.
Yes. For men, sperm banking before treatment is standard. For women, options include egg or embryo freezing, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, or using a GnRH agonist during radiation to suppress ovarian function. Discuss these possibilities with a reproductive endocrinologist and your radiation oncologist as early as possible, ideally before the first treatment.
During simulation, technicians use CT or MRI imaging to map the exact shape and location of your tumor. You’ll lie on a flat table while a custom immobilization device (e.g., a molded mask for head‑and‑neck cancers) is created to keep you still. The team will review the images with the radiation oncologist, who will outline the treatment fields and dose. This session usually lasts 30‑60 minutes and does not deliver therapeutic radiation.
Treat the skin gently: wash with lukewarm water and mild soap, pat dry, and avoid scrubbing. Apply a fragrance‑free moisturizer (e.g., aloe‑based) after cleaning, but not immediately before each session. Wear loose, breathable clothing over the treated area, and protect the skin from direct sunlight with sunscreen (SPF 30+) or clothing. Report severe burns or ulceration to your radiation nurse promptly.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss