Advances in radiation therapy

Recent advances have resulted in more precise and effective treatments with fewer side effects

Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) and surgery are the two main treatments available for curing solid tumour malignancies. Radiation therapy uses high-energy ionising radiation to destroy the DNA of cancer cells, and can be used to cure cancers, either alone or in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. According to the available evidence, one in two patients with cancer in Australia would benefit from receiving radiation therapy as part of their treatment.1 In cases of incurable disease, radiotherapy relieves distressing symptoms, such as pain, in two of three patients.