External Beam Radiation for Cervical Cancer

External Beam Radiation Therapy is one of the most commonly used forms of radiotherapy for cervical cancer treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). This type of cervical cancer treatment involves directing a “beam” of radiation from outside your body at the cancerous, internal organ and/or tissue within your uterus. External beam radiation may be used in combination with surgery, chemotherapy and/or a myriad of other weapons for cervical cancer treatment available at CTCA.

External Beam Radiation Therapy uses a high-energy, X-ray machine called a linear accelerator to direct radiation at a cervical cancer tumor. This short, cervical cancer treatment procedure only lasts a few minutes at a time, and is provided typically five days a week, over a course of six to eight weeks.

Cervical cancer treatment through radiation therapy continues to evolve, thanks to significant ongoing advancements in computer hardware and software. It will progress over the next decade. Recent advances in radiation therapy allow radiation oncologists to more accurately target cervical cancer tumors with higher doses of radiation, while minimizing damage to healthy reproductive tissues.

External Beam Radiation Therapy poses no risk of radioactivity to you or others with whom you have contact. You may continue normal activities with family and friends.

Advantages of using External Beam Radiation Therapy for cervical cancer treatment include the following:

• Radiation is an outpatient procedure that does not require overnight stay.
• It does not carry the standard risks or complications that accompany major surgery, such as surgical bleeding, post-operative pain or the risk of stroke, heart attack or blood clot.
• The procedure itself causes no pain.