Radiation therapy uses high-energy particle waves of X-rays and gamma rays to destroy or damage cancer cells. It is estimated that 50-60 percent of cancer patients will receive radiation during their cancer treatment.

Radiation can be used at different stages of cancer treatment including:

• Early stages in an attempt to cure or control the cancer
• Before surgery to shrink the cancer
• During surgery using intraoperative radiation therapy
• After surgery to prevent cancer from coming back
• With surgery or chemotherapy for advanced cancer

Types of radiation

Ionizing radiation consists of:

• Electromagnetic radiation (X-rays and gamma rays)
• Particulate radiation (electrons, protons, neutrons, alpha and beta particles)

The most common type of radiation therapy uses high-energy photons from radioactive sources such as cobalt, cesium or a machine called linear accelerator.

How radiation is given

Intraoperative radiation therapy (via the Intrabeam radiation system) delivers low-energy radiation directly to the tumor site during breast conserving surgery. Intraoperative radiation can dramatically reduce or even eliminate the need for weeks of external radiation treatment following surgery for select patients with early stage breast cancers.

External beam radiation is the most common type of radiation therapy. The radiation is given from a machine outside the body much like an x-ray in daily fractions over several weeks.

Internal radiation, also known as brachytherapy, has two main types:

• Intersitial radiation is placed in the affected tissue using small pellets, wires, tubes or other containers.
• Intracavity uses a reactive source sealed in a container, which is then placed in the cavity of the body close to the affected area.

Radiopharmaceuticals uses unsealed sources of radiation that are then administered intravenously, orally or into a body cavity.

Side effects

• Skin irritation
• Muscosal irritation
• Other effects related to the treatment site
  

Information

For more information about the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to schedule a new patient appointment, please call (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 45th in the country by U.S.News&World Report.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2010 Annual Report (PDF file)

University of Florida Cancer Survivor Program

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Urologic Cancers

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

NanoKnife Procedure

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Make an Appointment

To make a new patient appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.0943 .

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.