Leukemia External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
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External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for Leukemia
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a type of radiation therapy which uses a machine to direct high-energy rays from outside the body onto cancerous tissues within the body.
Depending on the type of leukemia you have, your personal preferences and other factors, your Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) care team may recommend EBRT as part of your leukemia treatment.
We’ll first use a variety of diagnostic and imaging tools to pinpoint the treatment area(s) and determine the correct radiation angles and dosage. Then, we'll use a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator to deliver high-energy rays to the targeted area(s).
External beam radiation thearpy is a common option for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and can help to reduce swelling in the lymph nodes, liver or spleen.
Advantages of EBRT for Leukemia
- 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.
With EBRT, we can deliver radiation from any angle, and shape radiation beams to the contour of the tumor. - 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 side effects of external beam radiation therapy for leukemia. Before, during and after your treatment, you’ll receive supportive therapies, such as nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, pain management, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation and spiritual support. These therapies are designed to keep you strong and nutritionally fortified, reduce the side effects of radiation and promote your overall well-being.
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