Meagan Wilson

Mr. Jackson
National History Day
11 November 2009

Works Cited

Primary

American Cancer Society. "ACS :: Radiation Therapy." American Cancer Society :: Information

and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. American

Cancer Society, 18 May 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2009.

<http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4x_Radiation_Therapy_10.asp?

sitearea=>.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (such as x-rays) or particles to destroy cancer cells

National Cancer Institute. "Radiation Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers."

Http://www.cancer.gov. National Cancer Institute (NCI), 24 Aug. 2004. Web. 2 Nov.

2009. <http://www.cancer.gov/PDF/FactSheet/fs7_1.pdf>.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation) is the use of a
certain type of energy (called ionizing radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiation therapy injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the “target tissue”)
by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to
grow and divide. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, most
normal cells can recover from the effects of radiation and function properly. The goal of
radiation therapy is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, while limiting harm to
nearby healthy tissue.
There are different types of radiation and different ways to deliver the radiation. For
example, certain types of radiation can penetrate more deeply into the body than can others. In
addition, some types of radiation can be very finely controlled to treat only a
small area (an inch of tissue, for example) without damaging nearby tissues and organs.
Other types of radiation are better for treating larger areas.
In some cases, the goal of radiation treatment is the complete destruction of an entire
tumor. In other cases, the aim is to shrink a tumor and relieve symptoms. In either case,
doctors plan treatment to spare as much healthy tissue as possible.
About half of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy. Radiation
therapy may be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as
chemotherapy or surgery. In some cases, a patient may receive more than one type of
radiation therapy.
Patton, Donna. "Radiation Therapy." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's

health. The Nemours Foundation, Feb. 2007. Web. 02 Nov. 2009.

<http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/cancer/radiation.html>.

A radiation oncologist is a doctor whose specialty is using radiation to treat cancer. The radiation
oncologist will work with other health care professionals to decide on the type and dose of radiation
therapy that will best treat a person's cancer. Radiation therapy can be given two ways - externally,
through the skin, or internally, through injection or by implanting a radioactive pellet in the body.
Internal radiation therapy is very rare in teens - it's usually adults who get this form of treatment.With
external radiation therapy, doctors use a large machine and special equipment that aims specific
amounts of radiation directly at the cancer.

"Types of Radiation Therapy." Saint Joseph Health System, Lexington, KY. Saint Joseph Health

System. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.sjhlex.org/body.cfm?id=1611>.

Some of the more common methods of delivery are:

• Interstitial (placing the implant or source into the tumor by using catheters, seeds, or

capsules)

• Intracavitary (placing special applicators inside a body cavity such as the uterus)

• Intraluminal (placing special applicator into a passageway such as the bronchus)

• Surface Brachytherapy (placing sealed source in or against the tumor)

• Unsealed internal (injecting radioactive substance into the bloodstream or body cavity such as

samarium)

High dose sources of radiation may be left in place for a matter of minutes, where as low dose sources

may be left in place for several days. Once the radioactive source is removed, you are not

"radioactive". Interstitial radiation may be left in place permanently through the use of seeds. It may

be necessary for you to take special precautions for a few days after the implant is placed.
Meagan Wilson
Mr. Jackson
National History Day
11 November 2009

VCU Massey Cancer Center. "Radiation oncology." VCU Massey Cancer Center. Virginia

Commonwealth University, 2 Oct. 2006. Web. 02 Nov. 2009.

<http://www.massey.vcu.edu/cancer/?pid=1544>.

Radiation oncology uses special kinds of energy waves or particles to fight cancer. Radiation therapy is
used in several ways depending on the type and location of the cancer. Certain levels of radiation
work to destroy cancer cells or prevent cells from growing or reproducing. This treatment may provide
a cure for cancer, control the disease or help relieve its symptoms.

At Massey, radiation therapy usually begins with these procedures:

• Simulation process – after a physical examination and a review of your medical history, your
treatment team “maps” out the position you will be in for each treatment and the exact
location on your body (referred to as treatment field or port) where the radiation will be given
(the simulation process). Sometimes, the area on your body that requires treatment will be
marked to make sure radiation is given properly. The treatment team also may make molds,
headrests or other devices that help to position you during your treatment. Imaging studies
also may be performed during the simulation process to help plan how to direct the radiation
during your treatments.

• Treatment plan – once the simulation process is completed, the radiation oncologist will
determine your treatment plan, including the type of machine to use, the amount of radiation
that is needed and the number of treatments that will be given.