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Radiation therapy uses regulated doses of high-energy radiation targeted at genetic material within cancer cells. This genetic material, also called DNA, can be damaged directly by radiation. This kills some cancer cells immediately after treatment. Radiation can also form free radicals from water molecules in the body, which then damage the DNA of cancer cells.
The surviving cancer cells die once radiation damage stops them from dividing uncontrollably. This then stops the growth of the tumour.
Normal cells within the treatment area will also be affected by radiation. However, normal cells have the capability to repair themselves during and after the treatment. At the end of treatment, normal cells would have replaced cancer cells.
For more information, please see:
• What is Radiotherapy?
• Aims of Radiotherapy Treatment
• Radiotherapy FAQs
