PATIENT SUPPORT - Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer, is used in more than 50% of all cancer patients, and is also known as radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, cobalt therapy and irradiation. It is primarily used to treat certain types of cancer -- non-melanoma skin cancers, head and neck cancers, early-stage Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In fact, radiation therapy may be the only treatment some patients receive.

Special equipment is used to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous tumors, killing or damaging them so that they cannot grow, multiply, or spread. Although some normal cells may be affected by radiation, most appear to fully recover from the effects of the treatment.

Questions to Ask Your Physician

• What is the purpose of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?
  
• Will it prevent or stop the spread of cancer?
  
• Will it destroy or shrink the tumor?
  
• What are the chances that radiation therapy will work?
  
• Are there other ways to achieve the same goal?
  
• If the radiation does not work are there other treatments for me?
  
• What are the potential risks and side effects of radiation?
  
• Will my diet, activities, work, exercise, and sexual activity are restricted in any way?