Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. It is used in the treatment of some cancers for any of the following reasons:
- Cure cancer
- Stop the cancer from spreading and growing
- Relieve painful symptoms
Radiation therapy may be used alone or together with surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or other treatments. Radiation therapy is administered in small amounts over the course of a few days or over several weeks. The type and amount of radiation treatment depends on the type of cancer a person has.
Patients at Sinai Health requiring radiation therapy are generally referred to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre radiation therapy clinic or a local centre that offers radiation therapy that is closer to a patient’s home.
If radiation therapy is part of your care plan, your radiation oncologist, a doctor trained in the use of radiation to treat cancer, will work closely with your Mount Sinai cancer care team.
Related Topics
Cancer Care Clinic
Offers the most advanced treatments, consultations and exams in cancer care.
Surgery
Information about treatment of cancer using surgery
Managing Symptoms
Information about common symptoms, and side effects and how to manage them
