The blocks are put into the treatment machine before each treatment session. Depending on the type of cancer, the radiation oncologist may schedule anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks of radiation therapy. The body cannot handle large amounts of radiation all at once, so radiation is given in small doses on a daily basis. No - patients who undergo external beam radiation treatments are not radioactive. Side effects usually depend on the body part being treated.
Side effects are usually temporary and easily treated by the doctor.
Side effects usually begin in the middle or end of treatments and may last for a short time after radiation is complete. Interstitial or Radioactive Seed Implant is for treating prostate cancer. This is a type of treatment in which radioactive seeds are implemented in the prostate gland. The seeds give off low energy radiation over a period of time that destroys the cancer in the prostate but gives little reaction to the adjacent tissues such as rectum and bladder. This is an outpatient procedure which produces high cure rates with very few side effects.