Lymphoma Cancer Treatments – External Beam Radiation
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External Beam Radiation for Lymphoma
External beam radiation therapy is a commonly used form of radiotherapy the experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) use in the fight against lymphoma. Also called external radiation therapy, this type of radiotherapy may be used in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy and/or a myriad of other options in your integrated lymphoma treatment plan.
External beam radiation therapy uses a high-energy X-ray machine (called a linear accelerator) to focus a “beam” of radiation from outside of the body on cancerous internal organ and/or tissues. Lasting only a few minutes at a time, this procedure usually requires sessions five days a week, over the course of six to eight weeks.
Significant technological advancements in computer hardware and software have enabled updates in radiation therapy treatment, planning and delivery and will continue to progress during the next decade. Recent advances in radiation therapy enable radiation therapists to more accurately target cancer tumors and tissue, while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue.
In addition to the preciseness of the radiation delivery, some additional advantages of external beam radiation therapy include the following:
- Limited complications – Because radiation is a non-invasive outpatient procedure, 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
- Limited/no pain – The procedure itself causes no pain
When receiving external beam radiation therapy as part of your fight against lymphoma, there is no risk of radioactivity to you or others with whom you have contact. While you are undergoing external beam radiation therapy for lymphoma, you may continue normal activities with family and friends.
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