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External beam radiation is sometimes given as an adjuvant treatment in addition to the primary treatment, or as a curative treatment when the cancer cannot be removed by surgery, or as a palliative approach to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Fact Sheet About External Beam Radiation Therapy

(from the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, www.astro.org, July 2005)

External beam radiation therapy involves a series of daily outpatient treatments to accurately deliver radiation to the cancer.

• Painless radiation therapy treatments are delivered in a series of daily sessions. Radiation treatments take only a few minutes, but each session takes about half an hour to get checked in, change clothes, get into position and receive the radiation. For some conditions, radiation is given twice a day, with a four to six hour gap between treatments.
• Treatments are usually scheduled Monday through Friday, for five to eight weeks. However, your radiation oncologist may schedule your treatments more or less often depending on your cancer.
• 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to the affected area. Tailoring each of the radiation beams to accurately focus on the patient's tumor allows coverage of the cancer while at the same time keeping radiation away from nearby healthy tissue.
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of 3D-CRT that further modifies the radiation by varying the intensity of each radiation beam. This technique allows a precise adjustment of radiation doses to the tissue within the target area. IMRT may allow doctors to direct a higher radiation dose to the affected area and keep more radiation away from nearby healthy tissue.
• To help you keep still during treatment, your doctor may use a plastic head or shoulder mask. These devices are specially fitted for you and are painless to use.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects of radiation therapy are limited to the area that is receiving treatment.

• Side effects can include redness of the skin, sore throat, dry mouth, alteration of taste, pain on swallowing and possible hair loss in the treated area. Fatigue is also very common.
• Side effects are different for each patient. Medications and nutritional supplements may be prescribed to make you as comfortable as possible.
• If at any time during your treatment you feel discomfort, tell your doctor or nurse. They may be able to alter the treatment or prescribe a drug to help you feel better.

Mouth Care

It is important to take care of your mouth, teeth and gums during radiation.

• Careful brushing of your teeth can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores and jaw infections.
• Be sure to tell your dentist that you received radiation to the head and neck area.
  
• Talk to your doctor or dentist about any problems you are having.

Last updated: October 23, 2006