Radiation therapy is one important part of the cancer treatment. Almost 50 % of the patients suffering from cancer undergo such therapies as an important part of their treatment. This is why it is important to know and understand the main types of cancer radiation therapies and their consequences.

Radiation is actually the energy carried by waves. The effect of radiation is altering molecules and genes. Usually cancer radiation therapies are used for minimizing the damages of the tumor and limiting its damages too.

Usually this radiation type works with cells that divide actively. Usually, cancer cells divide very quickly. They are rather uncontrollable. The radiations kill these cells but, unfortunately, they also kill normal cells that divide. These are the side effects of radiation therapies. Therefore, these therapies actually kill both healthy and cancer cells. The main idea is maintaining a balance between these two types.

Radiation therapies have long term effects for normal healthy cells. Therefore, you can see their effect after months. These side effects are visible most of the times. There are many types of radiation used for fighting against cancer cells.

They are presented below in this article so that you understand them and their effect:

1) The first radiation type is ionizing radiation. It can kill cells and stop cancer cells from multiplying. There are mainly two types of ionizing radiation: photons and particle radiation. If the level of energy is high, the radiation penetrates the tissue deeper. The radiation oncologist establishes the needed level of radiation.

2) The second type of radiation is the non-ionizing one. There are light waves, radio waves and microwaves involved in the process.

The most common sources of treatment are:

a) The high energy photons are the most powerful and new treatment used these days. Cesium, cobalt are the sources for photons.

b) Particle beams are produced by linear accelerator. They are usually used for cancer tumors that are close to the surface.

c) Proton beams are one of the newest forms of particle beam. These protons do not cause damages to the normal cells. This is a great advantage of this method. They have fewer side effects than other methods of radiation.

d) Neutron beams are used in certain areas such as neck, prostate and especially head. They are usually used when other methods do not work.

There are a lot of side effects that cancer radiation has on patients. However, radiation is absolutely necessary in many cases. The most common side effects of radiation are fatigue, discoloration, skin damage mouth and throat problems. Vomiting and nausea are other types of side effects that are sometimes encountered.

In conclusion, cancer radiation is necessary but it can have some serious side effects. The proper radiation needs to be carefully chosen for the best effects. Therefore, you should definitely learn a few things about cancer radiation. There are many types of radiation and each of these types has its particularities. They are meant to destroy cancer cells but they usually damage normal cells too.

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