Ovarian Cancer Treatments – External Beam Radiation
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External Beam Radiation for Ovarian Cancer
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT), a form of radiotherapy, is another conventional ovarian cancer treatment option offered at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).
EBRT works by directing external, high-energy radiation "beams" at your body from a specialized type of x-ray machine called a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator directs penetrating, high doses of radiation at ovarian cancer cells, helping to either destroy them or impede their growth.
Lasting just a few minutes at a time, this ovarian cancer treatment is usually performed five days a week, over the course of six to eight weeks. External beam radiation is different from internal methods of radiotherapy, which administer radiation dosages from within (e.g., via injection).
Depending on your treatment plan, your radiation oncologist at CTCA may use EBRT in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and other conventional ovarian cancer treatment methods.
The following are some advantages of External Beam Radiation Therapy for treating ovarian cancer:
- EBRT is a simple outpatient procedure that 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.
- The procedure itself is painless.
- EBRT poses no risk of radioactivity to you or others with whom you have contact. You may continue normal activities with family and friends throughout your ovarian cancer treatment.
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