Radiation can be given either externally or internally. The majority of treatments are of external radiation delivered by a linear accelerator. Where cancer is in a localized area, a high dose of radiation at short range is optimal. The therapeutic effects of radiation therapy in curing a wide variety of cancers is indisputable. The goal in radiation therapy is to kill all cells of the cancerous tumor or destroy their ability to grow and divide without damaging normal cells nearby.
Radiation therapy has to be precise because of the body's sensitivity to the effects of radiation.
And, certain areas of the body, such as bone marrow cells and cells of the intestines, are more radiation sensitive than others. Physicians in the Cancer Center have found that In many cases, the fastest growing tumors are more easily eradicated by radiation, and that best results are obtained when radiation treatment is fractionated, or given daily over a period of several weeks. Physicians emphasize that each patient requires a formal treatment plan that is both unique and effective for his or her specific malignancy.