Learn more about radiation therapy
Radiation therapy holds an important place cancer treatment, as a high proportion of cancer patients will likely receive this type of therapy as part of their treatment.3
There are many ways to have radiation therapy however they all generally speaking work in a similar way.3 There are two main types of radiation therapy techniques; external, where radiation is delivered from a machine and internal; where a medicine or even small steel “seeds” are inserted into the body to the cancer site.3,4
External beam radiation therapy is usually delivered in intervals called ‘fractions’.1,3,4 This allows time between treatments for the healthy cells to repair and the cancer cells to die off.3
Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) is a type of radiation therapy.4 It involves placing a tiny amount of radioactive material into, or next to the tumour.1,3 Depending on the type of cancer being treated, material may be inserted using a very thin needle or wire, an applicator, or radioactive beads or ‘seeds’.1
Brachytherapy at GenesisCare
Find out more about brachytherapy, including how it works and who it’s for.
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a simple technique used to help treat cancer in the breast or chest wall.5 It’s precisely targeted and intended to cause less damage to the heart.5
DIBH at GenesisCare
Find out more about DIBH, including how it works and who it’s for.
External beam radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells.1,3 Before your treatment begins, imaging scans are done to establish the precise shape, size and location of the tumour.1 If your treatment is after tumour removal surgery, scans are usually taken to examine the area where the tumour was removed.
EBRT at GenesisCare
Find out more about EBRT, including how it works and who it’s for.
Gamma knife radiosurgery uses computer-guided radiation to treat a intracranial cancers.6,7 Gamma knife radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy technology which can deliver large doses of targeted radiation, thereby helping to minimise radiation to the surrounding healthy cells.6,7
Gamma knife radiosurgery at GenesisCare
Find out more about Gamma knife radiosurgery, including how it works and who it's for.
IGRT uses X-rays and scans before, and during, your treatment.1 This means radiation beams are shaped to surround the treatment area, with the aim to avoid damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.1
The scans show any changes in the anatomy and location of the tumour.8 We can then make tiny adjustments to precisely target the treatment area.
IGRT can target cancers that move during, or between, treatment sessions.1 For example, lung cancers that move as you breathe.1
IMRT is a ‘conformal’ radiation therapy.1 This means radiation beams are shaped to surround the treatment area, so it avoids damaging surrounding healthy tissue.1
IMRT at GenesisCare
Find out more about IMRT, including how it works and who it’s for.
The magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MRIgRT) technology combines high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning offering improved soft-tissue visualisation, daily real-time imaging and the opportunity for adaptive radiation therapy to adjust for any anatomical changes that take place during treatment.9 The MRIgRT can be used to treat a range of tumours.9
MRIgRT at GenesisCare
Find out more about MRIgRT technology including how it works and who it's for.
Palliative radiation therapy’s aim isn’t to cure cancer. The focus is on giving patients quality of life by helping control symptoms.
Palliative radiation therapy at GenesisCare
Find out more about palliative radiation therapy, including how it works and who it’s for.
SABR uses modern 3D camera technology aiming to target and help kill cancer cells. The aim of SABR is to target tumours in the body with high doses of radiation therapy. It helps to destroy cancer cells with minimum damage to surrounding healthy tissues;10
- It’s often used to treat small tumours of the brain
- It’s accurate to within one to two millimetres
SABR at GenesisCare
Find out more about SABR, including how it works and who it’s for.
- It’s often used to treat small tumours of the brain
- It is very accurate as it can be tailored very precisely
SGRT uses sophisticated 3D camera technology to accurately target and kill cancer cells.
SGRT at GenesisCare
Find out more about SGRT, including how it works and who it’s for.
VMAT delivers a continuous beam of radiation therapy in an arc that moves around the tumour and is usually administered daily, over a set period of time.1 VMAT can be used when the tumour is close to critical organs. It helps them avoid being damaged by radiation.1
VMAT at GenesisCare
Find out more about VMAT, including how it works and who it’s for.
Potential radiation therapy side-effects
Some patients may experience side-effects from their radiation therapy treatment. If side-effects do occur, please let your GenesisCare treatment team know as soon as possible, and they will then monitor the side effects closely. Potential side-effects of radiation therapy may include: 1,13,14
- Tiredness
- Skin changes
- Swelling and build up of fluids
- Hair loss
- Stress, anxiety, and other coping issues
Helpful resources
We understand that you may still have some unanswered questions, and we’re here to help you in any way we can. But if you are still seeking answers visit Targeting Cancer for further information about radiation therapy or contact a staff member from a centre near you.
Disclaimer
Any procedure including treatments involving radiation carry risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with a referral for treatment, patients should be advised to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. As in any medical procedure, patient experiences and outcomes will vary.
- Cancer Council Australia [website]. Understanding Radiation Therapy. Last updated Dec. 2021 [cited Sept. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
- Walter and Miller's textbook of radiotherapy : radiation physics, therapy and oncology. Symonds, Paul (R. Paul); Walter, J. (Joseph). Edinburgh ; New York : Churchill Livingstone; 2012
- Majeed H & Gupta V. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing LLC [Internet]. Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy. Treasure island (FL). Last Update: Sept. 2022 [Cited July 2023]. Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563259/
- Chaput C. Can Fam Physician. 2021; 67(10): 753–57
- Bergom, C. et al. Front Oncol. 2018;8:87.
- Farris JC, et al. Head Neck. 2022;44(11):2571-2578
- Monaco EA, et al. Expert Rev Neurother. 2012;12(4):437-45.
- Dang, A et al. Transl Androl Urol. 2018 Jun; 7(3): 308–20.
- Hneke, LE et al. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2018;30(11):720-27
- Freislederer, P et al. Radiat Oncol. 2020 Jul 31;15(1):187.
- Harris L & Das, J. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing LLC [Internet]. Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Treasure island (FL). Last Update: July. 2023 [Cited July 2023]. Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542166/
- Yartsez S, et al. Biomed Imaging Interv J. 2007 Jan-Mar; 3(1): e16.
- NSW Government. Health South Western Sydney Local Health district. Cancer Services; radiation therapy. Page last updated July 2022 [cited Sept 2023]. Access from: https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/cancer/rt.html
- Dilalla V, et al. Curr. Oncol. 2020; 27(2): 107–12.