Radiation Therapy for Cancer

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script>window.CDEConfig = { "exitDisclaimerHref":{ "en":"\/policies\/linking", "es":"\/espanol\/politicas\/enlaces" }, "showFloatingDelighters":true, "environmentConfig":{ }, "glossaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/glossary\/v1\/" }, "drugDictionaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/drugdictionary\/v1\/" }, "ctsConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/clinicaltrialsapi.cancer.gov\/api\/v2", "printApiBase":"https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/CTS.Print", "zipConversionEndpoint":"\/cts_api\/zip_code_lookup" }, "r4rConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/r4r\/v1" }, "general":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov", "mediaServer":"https:\/\/nci-media.cancer.gov" }, "sitewideSearchConfig":{ "bestBetsApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/bestbets\/v1\/", "searchApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/sitewidesearch\/v1\/" }, "chartData": { "factBook": { "baseUrl": "\/about-nci\/budget\/fact-book", "dataType": "json" } } };</script> <script id="ncids-nav-info">window.ncidsNavInfo = { nav: { id: "11844", menu_type: "section-nav"}, item_id: 916947};</script> <meta name="description" content="Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Learn about the types of radiation, why side effects happen, which ones you might have, and more." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy" /> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en" /> <meta name="robots" content="index" /> <meta property="og:type" content="Website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Radiation Therapy for Cancer" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Learn about the types of radiation, why side effects happen, which ones you might have, and more." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.cancer.gov/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_social_media/public/cgov_image/media_image/100/000/4/files/woman-prepared-for-radiation-therapy-article.jpg" /> <meta name="cgdp.domain" content="cgov" /> <meta name="cgdp.template" content="default" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" content="About Cancer" /> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="cgvArticle" /> <meta name="dcterms.coverage" content="nciglobal,ncienterprise" /> <meta name="dcterms.isPartOf" content="Treatment" /> <meta name="dcterms.isReferencedBy" content="event1" /> <meta name="dcterms.issued" content="04/29/2015 - 08:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/site.webmanifest"/> <meta name="x-no-op" content="none" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, user-scalable=yes, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1" /> <script id="cgov-adobe-url" type="text/javascript" src="//assets.adobedtm.com/6a4249cd0a2c/949e98979342/launch-5f2a5357bf66.min.js" async="async"></script> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "National Cancer Institute (.gov)", "url": "https://www.cancer.gov" } ] }</script> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/radioterapia" /> <title>Radiation Therapy for Cancer - NCI</title> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://static.cancer.gov" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,600;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,600;1,700&family=Poppins:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600&family=Roboto+Mono:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Cancer.gov" /> <meta name="application-name" content="Cancer.gov" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/css/css_7m1ue4G6Ul69Q6bMvJxEKYHjaH3ZpBrShqLp4DTUmY0.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJxFyEEKwCAMBMAPiT6prCbUgJWQjYf-vsfOcfgy9Wkd1OII3AGfbBLHseo_9Ww_fRmnStnDhFcGNhsibSz9AA2iHHs" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/ncids-common.css?sram0y" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/article.css?sram0y" /> </head> <body class="has-translated-content"> <a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <section id="usa-banner" class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official government website"> <header class="usa-banner__header"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </div> <a href="/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/radioterapia" id="lang-toggle" class="usa-button usa-banner__language-toggle" hreflang="es">Español</a> </div> </header> </section> <header id="nci-header" class="nci-header nci-header--megamenu" data-base-path="/"> <div class="nci-header__navbar"> <div class="nci-logo" id="extended-mega-logo"> <a href="/"> <picture><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI.svg" /> <img src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI_Mobile.svg" alt="National Cancer Institute Home Page" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="nci-header-nav__secondary"> <button class="usa-button nci-header-mobilenav__open-btn">Menu</button> <form class="nci-header-search" method="get" action="/search/results" role="search"> <label class="usa-sr-only" for="nci-header-search__field"> Search </label> <input class="usa-input" id="nci-header-search__field" type="search" name="swKeyword" data-autosuggest-collection="cgov"/> <button class="usa-button nci-header-search__search-button" type="submit" aria-label="Search"> <span class="nci-header-search__label" aria-hidden="true">Search</span> <svg class="usa-icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" viewbox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/> </svg> </button> </form> </div> </div> <nav aria-label="Primary navigation" class="nci-header-nav"> <div class="nci-header-nav__inner"> <ul class="nci-header-nav__primary"> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-cancer" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link usa-current" data-menu-id="829"> <span>About Cancer</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/types" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="11868"> <span>Cancer Types</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/research" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="12732"> <span>Research</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/grants-training" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="914792"> <span>Grants & Training</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/news-events" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="12664"> <span>News & Events</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-nci" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="10952"> <span>About NCI</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row flex-no-wrap"> <div class="grid-col-10"> <nav class="usa-breadcrumb usa-breadcrumb--wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list"> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Home</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/about-cancer" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>About Cancer</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Cancer Treatment</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Types of Cancer Treatment</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current" aria-current="page"> <span>Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer</span> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--top" aria-label="Page options top"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> </div> <div id="page" class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap">  <div class="desktop:grid-col-3 nci-no-print"> <nav aria-label="Secondary navigation"> <ul class="usa-sidenav"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment" data-menu-id="11844" class="usa-current usa-current--nci-ancestor">Cancer Treatment</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types" data-menu-id="911277" class="usa-current usa-current--nci-ancestor">Types of Cancer Treatment</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/biomarker-testing-cancer-treatment" data-menu-id="1097231">Biomarker Testing</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/chemotherapy" data-menu-id="912836">Chemotherapy </a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/hormone-therapy" data-menu-id="912900">Hormone Therapy </a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/hyperthermia" data-menu-id="1151711">Hyperthermia</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy" data-menu-id="915528" class="nci-has-children">Immunotherapy</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/photodynamic-therapy" data-menu-id="1151716">Photodynamic Therapy</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy" data-menu-id="916947" class="usa-current" aria-current="page">Radiation Therapy </a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/brachytherapy" data-menu-id="1114558">Brachytherapy</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/external-beam" data-menu-id="1114556">External Beam Radiation</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/side-effects" data-menu-id="1114548">Side Effects</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant" data-menu-id="915538" class="nci-has-children">Stem Cell Transplant </a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/surgery" data-menu-id="911286" class="nci-has-children">Surgery</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies" data-menu-id="911288" class="nci-has-children">Targeted Therapy</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects" data-menu-id="898464">Side Effects of Cancer Treatment</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/drugs" data-menu-id="918919" class="nci-has-children">A to Z List of Cancer Drugs</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/cam" data-menu-id="917500" class="nci-has-children">Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/questions" data-menu-id="936692">Questions to Ask about Your Treatment</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-center" data-menu-id="1153716">NIH Clinical Center</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/about-cancer/treatment/research" data-menu-id="937976">Research</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="cgdpl desktop:grid-col-9"> <div id="content" class=""> <main class="contentzone has-section-nav" id="main-content">  <article> <div class="resize-content"> <h1> Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer </h1> <div id="cgvBody"> <div data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.image_display_article_medium" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <figure class="image-medium centered-set"> <div class="centered-element"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_article/public/cgov_image/media_image/100/000/4/files/woman-prepared-for-radiation-therapy-article.jpg?h=2468eb68&itok=b-qhuBQJ" width="600" height="614" alt="Technician positions a person lying on a treatment table for radiation therapy." /> </div> <figcaption> <div class="caption-container no-resize"> <p>Radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA.</p> <div class="image-photo-credit">Credit: National Cancer Institute</div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that uses high <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044664&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044664&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">doses</a> of <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045072&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045072&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">radiation</a> to kill cancer <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046476&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046476&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">cells</a> and shrink tumors. At low doses, radiation is used in x-rays to see inside your body, as with x-rays of your teeth or broken bones.</p> <div class="accordion" data-otp-selector> <section id="HRTWAC"> <h2>How radiation therapy works against cancer</h2> <p>At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045671&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045671&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">DNA</a>. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body.</p> <p>Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away. It takes days or weeks of treatment before DNA is damaged enough for cancer cells to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months after radiation therapy ends.</p> </section> <section id="TRT"> <h2>Types of radiation therapy</h2> <p>There are two main types of radiation therapy, external beam and internal.</p> <p>The type of radiation therapy that you may have depends on many factors, including:</p> <ul> <li>the type of cancer</li> <li>the size of the tumor</li> <li>the tumor’s location in the body</li> <li>how close the tumor is to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation</li> <li>your general health and medical history</li> <li>whether you will have other types of cancer treatment</li> <li>other factors, such as your age and other medical conditions</li> </ul> <p><strong>External beam radiation therapy</strong></p> <p><a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046751&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046751&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">External beam radiation therapy</a> comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. The machine is large and may be noisy. It does not touch you, but can move around you, sending radiation to a part of your body from many directions.</p> <p>External beam radiation therapy is a <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045755&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045755&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">local treatment</a>, which means it treats a specific part of your body. For example, if you have cancer in your lung, you will have radiation only to your chest, not to your whole body.</p> <p><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5ab99247-e45d-4e09-87c1-deff0d79976f" href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/external-beam">Learn more about external beam radiation therapy.</a></p> <p><strong>Internal radiation therapy</strong></p> <p><a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046345&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046345&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">Internal radiation therapy</a> is a treatment in which a source of radiation is put inside your body. The radiation source can be solid or liquid.</p> <p>Internal radiation therapy with a solid source is called <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045151&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045151&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">brachytherapy</a>. In this type of treatment, seeds, ribbons, or capsules that contain a radiation source are placed in your body, in or near the tumor. Like external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy is a local treatment and treats only a specific part of your body.</p> <p>With brachytherapy, the radiation source in your body will give off radiation for a while.</p> <p><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="287b623f-cc0c-4476-aa53-0d0cf59b56af" href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/brachytherapy">Learn more about brachytherapy</a>.</p> <p>Internal radiation therapy with a liquid source is called systemic therapy. Systemic means that the treatment travels in the blood to tissues throughout your body, seeking out and killing cancer cells. You receive <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000428290&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000428290&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">systemic radiation therapy</a> by swallowing, through a <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000476471&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000476471&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">vein</a> via an <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046326&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046326&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">IV</a> line, or through an <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044678&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044678&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">injection</a>.</p> <p>With systemic radiation, your body fluids, such as urine, sweat, and saliva, will give off radiation for a while.</p> </section> <section id="WRRT"> <h2>Why people with cancer receive radiation therapy</h2> <p>Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and ease cancer symptoms.</p> <p>When used to treat cancer, radiation therapy can cure cancer, prevent it from returning, or stop or slow its growth.</p> <p>When treatments are used to ease symptoms, they are known as <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045815&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045815&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">palliative</a> treatments. External beam radiation may shrink tumors to treat pain and other problems caused by the tumor, such as trouble breathing or loss of bowel and bladder control.</p> <p>Pain from cancer that has spread to the bone can be treated with systemic radiation therapy drugs called <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046023&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046023&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">radiopharmaceuticals</a>.</p> </section> <section id="TCRT"> <h2>Types of cancer that are treated with radiation therapy</h2> <p>External beam radiation therapy is used to treat many types of cancer.</p> <p>Brachytherapy is most often used to treat cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, and eye.</p> <p>A systemic radiation therapy called <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045855&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045855&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">radioactive iodine</a>, or I-131, is most often used to treat certain types of thyroid cancer.</p> <p>Another type of systemic radiation therapy, called targeted radionuclide therapy, is used to treat some patients who have advanced prostate cancer or <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000792398&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000792398&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor</a> (GEP-NET). This type of treatment may also be referred to as molecular radiotherapy.</p> </section> <section id="HRTUWOCT"> <h2>How radiation is used with other cancer treatments</h2> <p>For some people, radiation may be the only treatment you need. But, most often, you will have radiation therapy with other cancer treatments, such as <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045570&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045570&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">surgery</a>, <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045214&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045214&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">chemotherapy</a>, and <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045729&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000045729&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">immunotherapy</a>. Radiation therapy may be given before, during, or after these other treatments to improve the chances that treatment will work. The timing of when radiation therapy is given depends on the type of cancer being treated and whether the goal of radiation therapy is to treat the cancer or ease symptoms.</p> <p>When radiation is combined with surgery, it can be given:</p> <ul> <li>Before surgery, to shrink the size of the cancer so it can be removed by surgery and be less likely to return.</li> <li>During surgery, so that it goes straight to the cancer without passing through the skin. Radiation therapy used this way is called intraoperative radiation. With this technique, doctors can more easily protect nearby normal tissues from radiation.</li> <li>After surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain.</li> </ul> </section> <section id="LDL"> <h2>Lifetime dose limits</h2> <p>There is a limit to the amount of radiation an area of your body can safely receive over the course of your lifetime. Depending on how much radiation an area has already been treated with, you may not be able to have radiation therapy to that area a second time. But, if one area of the body has already received the safe lifetime <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044664&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044664&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">dose</a> of radiation, another area might still be treated if the distance between the two areas is large enough.</p> </section> <section id="RTCCSE"> <h2>Radiation therapy can cause side effects</h2> <p>Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects.</p> <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1fbc09f4-e761-4f19-bffb-c37137c717b7" href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/side-effects">Learn more about the side effects of radiation therapy.</a></section> <section id="HMRTC"> <h2>How much radiation therapy costs</h2> <p>Radiation therapy can be expensive. It uses complex machines and involves the services of many health care providers. The exact cost of your radiation therapy depends on the cost of health care where you live, what type of radiation therapy you get, and how many treatments you need.</p> <p>Talk with your health insurance company about what services it will pay for. Most insurance plans pay for radiation therapy. To learn more, talk with the business office at the clinic or hospital where you go for treatment. If you need financial assistance, there are organizations that may be able to help. To find such organizations, go to the National Cancer Institute database, <a href="http://supportorgs.cancer.gov/home.aspx?js=1">Organizations that Offer Support Services </a>and search for "financial assistance." Or call toll-free 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to ask for information on organizations that may help.</p> </section> <section id="SDN"> <h2>Special diet needs while on radiation therapy</h2> <p>Radiation can cause side effects that make it hard to eat, such as <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000390302&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000390302&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">nausea</a>, mouth sores, and throat problems called <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044947&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044947&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">esophagitis</a>. Since your body uses a lot of energy to heal during radiation therapy, it is important that you eat enough <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044651&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044651&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">calories</a> and <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046092&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000046092&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">protein</a> to maintain your weight during treatment.</p> <p>If you are having trouble eating and maintaining your weight, talk to your doctor or nurse. You might also find it helpful to speak with a <a class="definition" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000044661&version=Patient&language=English" onclick="javascript:popWindow('defbyid','CDR0000044661&version=Patient&language=English'); return false;">dietitian</a>. For more information about coping with eating problems see the booklet <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="908e2679-a72f-4823-99d1-2deae1e92762" href="/publications/patient-education/eating-hints"> Eating Hints</a> or read more about <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1fbc09f4-e761-4f19-bffb-c37137c717b7" href="/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/side-effects">side effects</a>.</p> </section> <section id="WDRT"> <h2>Working during radiation therapy</h2> <p>Some people are able to work full-time during radiation therapy. Others can work only part-time or not at all. How much you are able to work depends on how you feel. Ask your doctor or nurse what you may expect from the treatment you will have.</p> <p>You are likely to feel well enough to work when you first start your radiation treatments. As time goes on, do not be surprised if you are more tired, have less energy, or feel weak. Once you have finished treatment, it may take just a few weeks for you to feel better—or it could take months.</p> <p>You may get to a point during your radiation therapy when you feel too sick to work. Talk with your employer to find out if you can go on medical leave. Check that your health insurance will pay for treatment while you are on medical leave.</p> </section> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="article-footer"> <div id="nvcgRelatedResourcesArea"> <div> <aside class="related-resources list"> <h2 class="related-resources__heading">Related Resources</h2> <ul> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/prostate-cancer-psma-radiopharmaceutical-vision">For Advanced Prostate Cancer, Radiopharmaceutical Improves Survival</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/radiopharmaceuticals-cancer-radiation-therapy">Radiopharmaceuticals: Radiation Therapy Enters the Molecular Age</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/cancer-abscopal-effect-radiation-immunotherapy">Off Target: Investigating the Abscopal Effect as a Treatment for Cancer</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/publications/patient-education/radiation-therapy-and-you">Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People With Cancer</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/publications/pdq/information-summaries/adult-treatment">PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries: Adult Treatment</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/publications/pdq/information-summaries/pediatric-treatment">PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries: Pediatric Treatment</a> </div> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> </div> <div class="document-dates horizontal"> <ul class="clearfix"> <li> <strong>Updated:</strong> <time datetime="2019-01-08T12:00:00Z">January 8, 2019</time> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="nvcgSlPublicUse"> <div class="slot-item only-SI"> <div class="public-use"> <div id="block-ncids-trans-public-use"> <p><em>If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse of NCI Information</a> for guidance about copyright and permissions. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., “Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-ncids-trans-syndication-message"> <div class="syndication"> <div> <p>Want to use this content on your website or other digital platform? Our <a href="/syndication">syndication services page</a> shows you how.</p> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </article> </main> </div> </div> <div class="desktop:grid-col-9 desktop:grid-offset-3"> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--bottom" aria-label="Page options bottom"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-ncidsfooterenglish"> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--nci-big" id="nci-footer" aria-label="Footer" > <div class="grid-container usa-footer__return-to-top"> <a href="#top" aria-label="Back To Top"><span>Back To Top</span></a> </div> <div class="usa-footer__primary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-8"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Footer navigation"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-4"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">About</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/about-website">About This Website</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/espanol">en Español</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse & Copyright</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/social-media">Social Media</a> </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Resources</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/contact">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications">Publications</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms" >Dictionary of Cancer Terms</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/research/participate/clinical-trials-search" >Find a Clinical Trial</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Policies</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/foia">FOIA</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/privacy-security" >Privacy & Security</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/disclaimer">Disclaimers</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" >Vulnerability Disclosure</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4"> <div class="usa-sign-up"> <div class="usa-sign-up__heading">Sign up for email updates</div> <form action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIHNCI/subscribers/qualify" aria-label="Footer subscribe" class="usa-form" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" novalidate target="_blank" id="signup" > <input type="hidden" name="category_id" id="category_id" value="" /> <div class="usa-form-group"> <label class="usa-label" for="email"> Enter your email address </label> <input class="usa-input width-full" id="email" name="email" type="email" value="" /> </div> <button class="usa-button usa-button--accent-warm" type="submit"> Sign up </button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__logo grid-row desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto desktop:margin-bottom-3"> <p class="usa-footer__logo-heading"> <span class="logo__agency-name">National Cancer Institute </span> <span class="logo__parent-organization" >at the National Institutes of Health</span > </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links mobile-lg:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-heading">Contact Us</div> <div class="usa-footer__address"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="https://livehelp.cancer.gov/">Live Chat</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="tel:1-800-4-CANCER">1-800-4-CANCER</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="mailto:NCIinfo@nih.gov">NCIinfo@nih.gov</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a class="no-exit-notification" href="https://nci.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeLLobt6ZeGVn5I" target="_blank" >Site Feedback</a > </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__social-links desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="usa-footer__social-heading">Follow us</div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-1 nci-big__social"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.facebook.com/cancer.gov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="facebook-title" > <title id="facebook-title">Facebook</title> <rect fill="none" height="24" width="24" /> <path d="M22,12c0-5.52-4.48-10-10-10S2,6.48,2,12c0,4.84,3.44,8.87,8,9.8V15H8v-3h2V9.5C10,7.57,11.57,6,13.5,6H16v3h-2 c-0.55,0-1,0.45-1,1v2h3v3h-3v6.95C18.05,21.45,22,17.19,22,12z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://twitter.com/thenci" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="x-title" > <title id="x-title">Follow on X</title> <path d="M12 22c5.5 0 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10zm5.2-15.6L13.3 11l4.3 6.2h-3.1L11.6 13 8 17.2h-.9l4.1-4.8-4.1-6h3.1l2.7 3.9 3.4-3.9h.9zm-5.6 5.4.4.6 2.8 4h1.4l-3.5-5-.4-.6-2.6-3.7H8.3l3.3 4.7z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.instagram.com/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="instagram-title" > <title id="instagram-title">Instagram</title> <g id="Instagram"> <path d="M12,10a2,2,0,1,0,2,2A2,2,0,0,0,12,10Z" /> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm6,12.69A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,14.69,18H9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,6,14.69V9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,9.31,6h5.38A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,18,9.31Z" /> <path d="M16.94,9.31a2.25,2.25,0,0,0-2.25-2.25H9.31A2.25,2.25,0,0,0,7.06,9.31v5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25,2.25h5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25-2.25h0ZM12,15.09A3.09,3.09,0,1,1,15.09,12,3.09,3.09,0,0,1,12,15.09Zm3.77-5.75a.79.79,0,0,1-.55.23.83.83,0,0,1-.55-.23.78.78,0,0,1,0-1.11A.82.82,0,0,1,15.22,8a.78.78,0,0,1,.55,1.33Z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.youtube.com/NCIgov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="youtube-title" > <title id="youtube-title">Youtube</title> <g id="YouTube"> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm5.75,12.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,16.69,16a34.65,34.65,0,0,1-4.69.26A34.65,34.65,0,0,1,7.31,16a1.49,1.49,0,0,1-1.06-1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,6,12a15.88,15.88,0,0,1,.25-2.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,7.31,8,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,12,7.77,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,16.69,8a1.49,1.49,0,0,1,1.06,1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,18,12,15.88,15.88,0,0,1,17.75,14.91Z" /> <polygon points="10.77 13.78 13.91 12 10.77 10.22 10.77 13.78" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="linkedin-title" > <title id="linkedin-title">Linkedin</title> <g id="final"> <path d="M12,2C6.48,2,2,6.48,2,12s4.48,10,10,10s10-4.48,10-10S17.52,2,12,2z M8.912001,17.584H6.584v-7.472h2.328001V17.584z M7.744,9.104C6.992,9.104,6.4,8.488,6.4,7.76c0-0.752,0.592-1.344,1.344-1.344c0.728,0,1.343999,0.592,1.343999,1.344 C9.087999,8.488,8.472,9.104,7.744,9.104z M17.6,17.584h-2.328v-3.64c0-0.856-0.024001-1.967999-1.216001-1.967999 s-1.392,0.927999-1.392,1.912v3.696H10.36v-7.472h2.224v1.008h0.024c0.464-0.752,1.296-1.216001,2.199999-1.192 c2.352001,0,2.792,1.552001,2.792,3.544001C17.6,13.472,17.6,17.584,17.6,17.584z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links desktop:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__address height-full"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap height-full"> <address> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/" >U.S. Department of Health and Human Services </a> <a href="https://www.nih.gov/" >National Institutes of Health </a> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute </a> <a href="https://usa.gov/">USA.gov</a> </address> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/js/js_dIeedaUmJGQNMVajpYFxcy4JqC-PZu2YGnXQ1zmWB-Y.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJzLS85MKY4vKUrMK9ZPLCrJTM5JBQBNMges"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/ncids-common.js?sram0y"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/article.js?sram0y"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Radiation Therapy for Cancer - NCI