what does radiation for cancer do
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells (1). X-rays, gamma rays, and charged particles are types of radiation used for cancer treatment.alliative treatments are not intended to cure. Instead, they relieve symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer. Some examples of palliative radiation therapy are: 1  Radiation given to the brain to shrink tumors formed from cancer cells that have spread to the brain from another part of the body (metastases).