Radiation Therapy
Radiation to kill cancer cells
Understanding Radiation Oncology
Radiation therapy is the use of high energy rays or particles to treat disease. High doses of radiation can kill cells or keep them from growing and dividing. Radiation therapy is a useful tool for treating cancer because cancer cells grow and divide more rapidly than many of the normal cells around them.
While radiation therapy affects all cells in the area, repeated exposure to a small amount of radiation over a period of time allows healthy cells to recover, while diseased cells cannot. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers the latest options in radiation oncology care.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is an effective way to treat many kinds of cancers in almost any part of the body. More than half of all people with cancer receive some type of radiation.
Your oncologist (cancer doctor) may use radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery. The treatment depends on your type of cancer and the specifics of your disease.
Types of Radiation Therapy
We offer many different options to treat cancer and other benign diseases. The type of radiation therapy that your oncologist suggests depends on the type of cancer you have and other factors. Our specialists use imaging-guided technology during radiation therapy, which makes cancer treatment as precise as possible and spares healthy tissue.
3D Conformal Radiotherapy
During this form of radiation therapy, the specialist primarily delivers the radiation dose to the tumor, while the surrounding tissues receive little to no radiation. The specialist uses a 3D image of the tumor from a CT scan, MRI or PET scan. Then, a computer program analyzes the 3D image to target the tumor and reduce exposure of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is also called internal radiation because the specialized equipment places radioactive material inside your body to deliver high doses of radiation to specific areas. The equipment removes the radioactive material after the session. Brachytherapy typically has fewer side effects than external beam radiation and the treatment time is usually shorter, too.
CyberKnife
CyberKnife image-guided therapy is a non-invasive alternative to surgery that oncologists can use to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
This therapy improves the precision of delivery to parts of the body that move — for example, the lungs. IGRT allows your oncologist to see an image of the tumor before and during treatment. The image provides the exact position of your body and the tumor so the oncologist can adjust the radiation beams to precisely target the tumor.
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) delivers radiation to the tumor only when you hold your breath. This technique is especially useful for tumors in left breast or chest wall.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
This advanced form of therapy that delivers precise doses of radiation to a tumor or specific areas in the tumor. The machine shapes the radiation beam to fit precisely around the tumor. This means that the tumor receives a very high dose of radiation and nearby healthy cells receive a much lower dose. It also means that each radiotherapy beam can vary in intensity. This allows different doses of radiation to be given across the tumor.
Radiation Therapy as Part of Comprehensive Cancer Care
Your oncologist may recommend radiation therapy in addition to other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Your care team may suggest radioimmunotherapy, which combines radiation therapy and immunotherapy to target cancer.
You’ll benefit from radiation therapy advances made possible through clinical research. At some point in your journey, you may consider participating in a clinical trial.
More About Radiation Therapy
Your radiation oncology team will precisely plan your customized treatment plan using treatment simulation. This allows us to develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
Learn about what to expect on your first day of radiation treatment.
Cancer care teams can give radiation therapy in two forms:
- In external therapy, a machine directs the high-energy rays or particles at the cancer and the normal tissue surrounding it. Most people who receive radiation therapy for cancer have the external type.
- For internal radiation therapy, the treatment team seals a radioactive substance (source) in small containers such as thin wires or tubes called implants. The team places the implant directly into a tumor or inserts it into a body cavity.
Radiation Therapy Schedule
Typically, external radiation treatment is given five days a week over four to seven weeks. The total dose of radiation and the number of treatments you need will depend on:
- Size and location of your cancer
- Type of tumor
- Your general health
- Any other treatments you are receiving
The Prostate Implant is a multidisciplinary program that includes urology, radiation oncology, radiation safety and radiology. We offer the program as an alternative treatment to those with early-stage prostate cancer.
In this treatment, the specialist implants around 40 to 100 radioactive seeds into the prostate gland. The implants remain in place permanently but become inert (no longer useful) after a few months. This therapy allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the prostate with limited damage to surrounding tissues.
We provide supportive care to help you manage symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatments. Our cancer nutritionists help you manage your diet during and after treatment. We also offer ongoing survivorship services during and after treatment.
Get answers to common questions and concerns.
How does radiation therapy work?
The purpose of radiation therapy is to kill cancer cells. Radiation affects all rapidly dividing cells, both normal and abnormal. Our team designs your treatment to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor cells while minimizing harmful effects to normal tissue. Normal cells have a greater ability to repair themselves then do cancer cells. Because it is impossible to shield all normal tissue, some side effects may occur. Your doctor and nurse will discuss the specific side effects with you.
What happens if I miss a treatment?
It is important for you to receive each scheduled radiation treatment. If for some reason you need to miss a scheduled appointment, you should notify your radiation therapist.
On occasion, your radiation oncologist may decide to give you a rest from treatment to allow normal tissue to heal. If you miss a treatment for any reason, the team will add that missed treatment onto the end of your schedule. Therefore, your finish date will move back by however many days you have missed.
What side effects will I have?
Side effects are specific to the site, or location on your body, you are receiving treatment. Therefore, your side effects depend on where you’re receiving treatment. Most people have some skin reddening at the site of their treatment. For more details about side effects, please ask you primary nurse or physician.
Will I lose my hair?
You will lose your hair only in the area that is receiving radiation. Radiation will not affect the hair on your head unless you are receiving radiation to your head. The loss is usually not permanent. Be sure to ask your radiation oncologists or primary nurse any other questions you have about hair loss.
Will I need blood work during treatments?
Your care team may perform blood tests to check your blood counts. Your oncologist also may order diagnostic tests or scans throughout the course of therapy, depending on your specific care.
How do I arrange for follow-up care?
Your radiation oncologist will determine what follow-up visits you need. Your referring doctor will receive a complete report of your treatment. They may wish to see you for a follow-up visit.
What is an on-treatment visit (OTV)?
One day a week is set aside for a brief visit with your radiation oncologist and primary nurse. Even though you may feel well, it is important that you keep this appointment. It’s the best time for you and your health care team to discuss your concerns and assess if there are any treatment-related side effects.
What services are available at the hospital?
Dedicated social workers can provide emotional support and counseling. The social service staff also can help arrange lodging, transportation, and home or community services. If you are interested in patient support groups, ask your nurse or social worker for details.
Nutritional support services also are available. You can schedule a visit with a registered dietitian to meet with you and/or your family to discuss your nutritional concerns.
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Department of Radiation Oncology
The Department of Radiation Oncology offers the latest therapies and treatments for the management of cancer and other health conditions.
Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute is an interdisciplinary center focused on understanding cancer with the goal of curing it.
Radiation Oncology Education & Training
Our radiation oncology team offers education and training programs to students and physicians.
