Radiation therapy, also known as “radiotherapy,” is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. Radiotherapy works like chemotherapy, relying on the faulty recovery mechanism of cancer cells to ultimately destroy them. Radiation can also be used to relieve pain in cancer patients. Side effects of radiation therapy include a decrease in white blood cells, fatigue, skin reactions, and loss of appetite. While side effects can be unpleasant, they can usually be treated or controlled. If radiation therapy is right for your needs, your SMOC oncologist will coordinate your care and work with a radiation-oncology subspecialist to develop an appropriate, effective treatment plan.