Your browser does not support JavaScript! before use docindia please enable Javascript on your browser
🎉 Special Offer: Get 10% OFF on your video consultation with our verified doctors!

What Is Radiation Therapy and How Is It Used for Cancer Treatment?

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It can be given externally (from a machine outside the body) or internally (placed near cancer). Radiation helps destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues as much as possible. It is used for many cancers, either alone or with surgery and chemotherapy. The exact plan depends on cancer type, stage, and patient health. Side effects may include fatigue, skin changes, and temporary discomfort, which doctors help manage during and after treatment.

Types of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can be given in different ways depending on the medical condition:

  • External Beam Radiation Therapy:
  • Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy):
  • Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT):

The doctor decides the best method based on the cancer type and treatment goal.

Conditions Treated With Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is used to treat many types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, brain tumors, and gynecological cancers. It may also be used to relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or pressure caused by tumors.

Radiation Therapy Procedure

Before starting treatment, patients go through a planning session where imaging scans are done to mark the exact treatment area. During each session, the patient lies still while the radiation machine delivers treatment to the targeted area. Each session usually lasts a few minutes and is painless.

Radiation therapy is commonly given over several sessions spread across days or weeks to allow healthy cells time to recover.

Benefits of Radiation Therapy

  • Helps destroy or shrink cancer tumors
  • Can be used before or after surgery
  • Non-invasive treatment option
  • Helps relieve cancer-related symptoms
  • Improves treatment outcomes when combined with other therapies

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Side effects depend on the treatment area and radiation dose. Common side effects include tiredness, skin redness, mild swelling, and temporary discomfort. Most side effects improve after treatment ends. Doctors monitor patients closely and provide guidance to manage side effects.

Recovery and Follow-Up

Recovery after radiation therapy varies from person to person. Some patients return to normal activities during treatment, while others may need rest. Regular follow-up visits are important to track progress, manage side effects, and evaluate treatment results.

Dr. Rashi Agrawal

MBBS, MD - Radiotherapy

Radiation oncologyRadiation oncology

W3, Sector 1, Dabur Chowk, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, 201001

Dr. Kiran Kumar Annamraju

MD- Radiation Oncology

RadiologyRadiology
Radiation oncologyRadiation oncology

19,Rajanigandha complex, Chaitanyapuri, Dilsuknagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500074

Dr. Abdul Salam Ansari

Naturopath Doctor

Alternative MedicineAlternative Medicine
NaturopathyNaturopathy
Pain managementPain management

F-51, Abul Fazal Enclave, Delhi, Delhi, India, 110025

Dr. Hariram Sahebrao Gadade

MD Oncologist

OncologyOncology
Radiation oncologyRadiation oncology

Gadade Hospital & Cancer Care, Rajiv Gandhi Chowk Ausa Road Latur, Latur, Maharashtra, India, 413512

Dr. Nagraj Gururaj Huilgol

MBBS, DGO

Radiation oncologyRadiation oncology

S.V. Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Dr. Tejinder Kataria

MBBS, MD - Radiotherapy, DNB - Radiotherapy

Radiation oncologyRadiation oncology

CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Dr. Ramesh Parimi

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, DM - Oncology, MCh - Oncology

OncologyOncology

6-3-903/A & B, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Dr. Ashok Vaid

MBBS, DNB - General Medicine, DM - Oncology

OncologyOncology

CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Dr. Nitin Sood

MBBS, DNB - General Medicine

OncologyOncology

CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa

MBBS, DNB - General Medicine, DM - Oncology

OncologyOncology

CH Baktawar Singh Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Frequently Asked Questions

Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer by killing or shrinking cancer cells, controlling tumor growth, and relieving symptoms such as pain or bleeding.

It uses high-energy radiation beams aimed at the tumor to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing, which helps shrink or destroy the tumor.

Radiation itself is not painful. Patients may feel mild discomfort or fatigue during the course of treatment, but the procedure itself is generally painless.

A typical session takes about 10–30 minutes, depending on the treatment area and technique being used. Most sessions are done on an outpatient basis.

Common side effects include fatigue, skin irritation or redness near the treated area, and temporary hair loss. Side effects vary by treatment site and dose and usually lessen after treatment ends.

Radiation therapy can cure certain cancers when used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Effectiveness depends on cancer type, stage, and overall health.

The number of sessions depends on the type and stage of cancer. A typical course might include daily treatments over several weeks, as decided by the oncologist.