Benefits of Radiation Therapy
Many patients find that the interruption of getting their radiotherapy treatment has a minimal effect on their daily schedules. Treatment sessions are given on an outpatient basis, and typically take 30 to 60 minutes—from entering the waiting room to leaving the hospital or clinic.
Radiotherapy can be used to treat many cancers, alone or in combination with other treatments. It can be used...
- To treat a cancer and prevent a recurrence by eliminating a tumor.
- As a palliative treatment when curing the cancer is not possible. (Palliative radiation therapy is intended to relieve pain, pressure and other symptoms by shrinking the tumor.)
- Before surgery to shrink the tumor.
- After surgery to treat any remaining cancer cells.
- In combination with chemotherapy treatment.
