Hodgkin Lymphoma External Beam Radiation Therapy
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External Beam Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Depending on the type and extent of disease and other factors, some Hodgkin lymphoma patients at CTCA receive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
EBRT is a type of radiation therapy that uses a machine outside the body to direct high-energy rays at cancerous tissues within the body.
Our cancer doctors first pinpoint the treatment area(s) using a variety of diagnostic and imaging tools to locate the tumor(s). Then, using a special X-ray machine that moves around the body called a linear accelerator, we’ll deliver focused radiation beams to the tumors.
For Hodgkin lymphoma patients, radiation may be targeted to lymph nodes in the neck, chest and underarms, or in the pelvis and spleen (for diseases below the diaphragm). To preserve fertility, we may need to shield organs like the ovaries during radiation therapy.
Advantages of EBRT for Hodgkin Lymphoma
- External beam radiation therapy allows our doctors to deliver radiation from any angle, and shape radiation beams to the contour of the tumor.
- It’s a fast, painless outpatient procedure. A typical radiation treatment lasts a few minutes.
- Unlike chemotherapy, which circulates through the body, ERBT is targeted to a specific area.
- By targeting tumors with higher doses of radiation, EBRT helps to minimize damage to healthy tissues and reduce side effects.
Helping You Maintain Your Quality of Life
Your CTCA care team anticipates and proactively manages the potential side effects of external beam radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Before, during and after your treatment, you’ll receive supportive therapies designed to keep you strong and nutritionally fortified, reduce the side effects of radiation, and promote your overall well-being.
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