External Beam Radiation

External Beam Radiation - A type of radiation therapy which uses a machine to direct high-energy rays from outside of the body onto cancerous tumors and tissue located within the body. Also called external radiation therapy, external beam radiation is often used in combination with surgery to either shrink tumors before surgery, or to help eradicate any cancerous cells that remain after a surgical procedure. External beam radiation is distinguished from other forms of radiotherapy (e.g., internal radiation therapy) which place radioactive materials directly into or near a tumor via injection, a catheter, or other methods.

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