Vaginal Cancer Radiation Therapy & Treatment
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Radiation Therapy for Vaginal Cancer
Radiation therapy is generally the first line of treatment for vaginal cancers.
Radiation therapy uses targeted energy to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, and provide relief of certain cancer-related symptoms. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we offer two types of highly targeted radiation therapy for vaginal cancer patients with advanced-stage disease.
Our radiation oncologists deliver high radiation doses to cancerous cells in the vagina, while sparing healthy tissue. By focusing the radiation directly on the tumor, these therapies minimize the risk of common gastrointestinal and sexual function side effects associated with radiation therapy for vaginal cancer.
We offer two types of radiation for vaginal cancer patients:
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) : Delivers high doses of radiation to vaginal cancer cells from outside the body, using a variety of machine-based technologies.
- High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation) : Delivers high doses of radiation from implants placed close to, or inside, the tumor(s) in the vagina.
At CTCA, we may combine HDR brachytherapy with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy to treat advanced-stage vaginal cancer. Radiation therapy may be administered alone, or in combination with chemotherapy. This may be the primary treatment, or it may be used to shrink large tumors so they can be removed by surgery, or to relieve symptoms if the cancer has spread.
Next Topic: External Beam Radiation for Vaginal Cancer
