Radiotherapy is one of the cancer treatments. It can be combined with the chemotherapy. Cancer cells that develop in the body are treated with the help of rays of extremely high energy. There are two kinds of radiotherapy internal and external. These cancers cells in the body are destroyed by these rays. The rays can either come from a machine that’s the external radiotherapy and the internal radiotherapy done by inserting thin tubes in the affected area that produce rays and destroy the cancer cells.

 The treatment is divided into several sessions (called fractions), usually one session a day for five days with a rest at the weekend. Fractionation ensures that less damage is done to normal cells than to cancer cells. The damage to normal cells is usually temporary, but is the reason that radiotherapy has some unwanted side effects such as fatigue and skin changes.

Radiation therapy can both reduce the size of a tumor and relieve symptoms like pain and shortness of breath. However, doctors will limit its use depending on the volume of the tumor and how close it is to other vital organs.

Side affects of radiotherapy:

Where ever there is any treatment involving ray of any kind, it is bound to have some side affects. The radiotherapy treatment involves highly intense rays that destroy the cancer cells. The affects are common. They generally include weakness, lethargy, hair loss, and nausea and even bowel disorders. They have to deal with these side affects but there is no alternative only to get the treatment done.

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