Radiation is a special kind of energy carried by waves or a stream of particles. It can come from special machines or from radioactive substances. Special equipment is used to aim the radiation at tumors or areas of the body where there is disease. Radiation causes a break in one or both strands of the DNA molecules found inside the cell. As a result, the cell can no longer grow and divide.
Radiation can also damage the DNA of normal cells found in the vicinity of the cancer being treated.
Some of the normal cells will die, but others may be are able to repair the damage caused by the radiation. Your radiation oncologist will prescribe a specific treatment which will be used in the treatment of your condition. Two types of radiation therapy are common. These include external beam therapy and internal brachytherapy. These modalities are described below.