What is Radiation?

Radiation therapy is targeted energy used to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors and/or alleviate certain cancer-related symptoms.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays and other forms of radiation therapy to damage the DNA in cancer cells, killing them or depriving them of their ability to grow or divide. 

Radiation can be used in several ways:

• Primary treatment to destroy cancer cells
• In combination with other treatments to stop the growth of cancer cells
• Before another treatment to shrink a tumor
• After another treatment to stop the growth of any remaining cancer cells
• To relieve symptoms of advanced cancer

Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells immediately. It works for several days and weeks, and during the course of treatment, hopefully damaging the DNA in cancer cells so that they die or are no longer able to reproduce.

Radiation therapy is one of the most common cancer treatments. At least half of all patients receive radiation therapy to treat their cancer. Radiation therapy may be used to treat both benign and malignant tumors. 

You may not always be able to stay in the room with your child but will be right outside. We know all this can be scary. Hospitals do all they can to make this a good experience for your child.