Multiple Myeloma External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
Learn More About Multiple Myeloma EBRT: Chat with Us | Email Us
External Beam Radiation Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
Some multiple myeloma patients receive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). EBRT is a type of radiation therapy which uses a machine outside the body to direct high-energy rays at cancerous tissues within the body.
Depending on your individual diagnosis, personal preferences and other factors, your CTCA care team may recommend EBRT as part of your multiple myeloma 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, using a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator we’ll deliver high-energy rays to the targeted area(s), such as areas of bone.
For multiple myeloma patients, external beam radiation therapy can be used to destroy myeloma cells and stop them from growing, and also to help reduce pain from bone damage.
Advantages of EBRT for Multiple Myeloma
- 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 external beam radiation therapy, 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 radiation therapy for multiple myeloma. Before, during and after your treatment, you’ll receive supportive therapies (e.g., nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, pain management, oncology rehabilitation) designed to keep you strong and nutritionally fortified, reduce the side effects of radiation and promote your overall well-being.
Next Topic: TMI for Multiple Myeloma
