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Focusing high-energy radiation beams onto specific organs or parts of organs to treat cancer is called radiation therapy. High-energy radiation breaks up the genetic material inside cancerous cells, killing them and stopping their spread. Because radiation is delivered specifically to the area of the cancer, effects on healthy cells are minimized. Doctors with specialized training in the use of radiation to treat cancer are called radiation oncologists. They often work in conjunction with medical oncologists, internal medicine doctors who specialize in medical treatments for cancer. The September 14, 2005, issue of JAMA includes an article about radiation therapy and its use in treating prostate cancer.

USES OF RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy decreases the size of tumors and in some cases may eradicate them. Radiation can be used to shrink tumors, allowing surgical removal that would otherwise not be possible. Because tumors and their metastases (spread of cancer to other locations) can cause . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Alison Burke, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

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ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT