What does radiation therapy do to cancer cells?
Given in high doses, radiation kills or slows the growth of cancer cells. Radiation therapy is used to: • Treat cancer. Radiation can be used to cure, stop, or slow the growth of cancer. • Reduce symptoms. When a cure is not possible, radiation may be used to shrink cancer tumors in order to reduce pressure. Radiation therapy used in this way can treat problems such as pain, or it can prevent problems such as blindness or loss of bowel and bladder control.
