external radiation therapy
(...RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of radiation therapy that uses a machine outside the body to send high-energy radiation beams toward the area of the body with cancer. It is used to treat many types of cancer. It may also be used to shrink tumors to treat pain and other problems caused by the tumor, such as trouble breathing or loss of bowel and bladder control. Also called external beam radiation therapy.
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Enlarge this image in new windowExternal-beam radiation therapy of the brain. A machine is used to aim high-energy radiation. The machine can rotate around the patient, delivering radiation from many different angles. A mesh mask helps keep the patient’s head from moving during treatment. Small ink marks are put on the mask. The ink marks are used to line up the radiation machine in the same position before each treatment.
Enlarge this image in new windowExternal-beam radiation therapy of the head and neck. A machine is used to aim high-energy radiation at the cancer. The machine can rotate around the patient, delivering radiation from many different angles to provide highly conformal treatment. A mesh mask helps keep the patient’s head and neck from moving during treatment. Small ink marks are put on the mask. The ink marks are used to line up the radiation machine in the same position before each treatment.