Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which stops them from dividing or causes them to die. The treatment can be used to cure cancer, prevent it from returning, or stop or slow its growth. Radiation therapy can also be used to ease cancer symptoms, such as pain, by shrinking tumors that are causing discomfort.

Radiation therapy can be used to treat many different types of cancer, and more than half of people with cancer will receive some type of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and/or surgery. The type of radiation therapy used depends on the type and location of the cancer being treated. External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy, which uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. Other types of radiation therapy include internal radiation therapy, systemic radiation therapy, and radioimmunotherapy.

Radiation therapy is usually given in a series of treatments over a set period of time, and the treatment plan is tailored to each individual patient. Radiation therapy can have side effects, such as fatigue, skin changes, and nausea, but these side effects can usually be managed with medication or other treatments.

In summary, radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, and the type of radiation therapy used depends o...