Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy often work together to give the best chance of recovery when cancer strikes. In her Laguna Hills, California, practice, board-certified general surgeon Dr. Elvira Klause is known for excellence in surgical oncology.
Dr. Klause's deep understanding of surgical oncology and how it fits into comprehensive cancer treatment plans ensures our patients feel cared for and supported.
In this blog, we're exploring how radiation therapy works and how it can help you manage your cancer. We hope this helps you feel more informed and prepared ahead of your treatment.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to damage or kill cancer cells. It targets specific areas of the body where cancer cells exist. Carefully-directed radiation attacks cancer cells while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
The process damages the DNA inside cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. Over time, these damaged cells die, and the body naturally eliminates them.
Radiation therapy may affect healthy cells in the area, but those cells can repair the damage while cancer cells are more vulnerable.
There are two main approaches to radiation therapy:
This is the most common type of radiation treatment. A specialized machine delivers beams of radiation from outside the body, focusing precisely on the tumor. External beam radiation is painless, much like getting an X-ray.
A typical treatment schedule is five days a week for 5-8 weeks. Thanks to modern technology, doctors can shape the radiation beams and adapt the dose to protect nearby healthy tissues and organs as much as possible.
This makes external beam radiation effective for many cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
Radiation can also go directly inside the body. This method involves placing tiny radioactive seeds or other materials close to or inside the tumor.
Because the radiation source is so near the cancer, brachytherapy can allow for higher doses of radiation with less impact on surrounding healthy tissues.
Brachytherapy may be temporary or permanent, depending on the treatment plan. This approach is common for prostate, cervical, or uterine cancers.
Radiation therapy can play a role at different points in the cancer treatment journey. The time frame may include:
Sometimes doctors recommend radiation therapy to shrink a tumor before surgery, which can make removal easier.
In other cases, radiation therapy happens after a surgical oncologist like Dr. Klause removes a cancerous tumor. In these situations, radiation therapy can help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Surgery isn’t always viable for some cancers. Depending on the stage and type of cancer, radiation therapy can also be a standalone therapy. In some cases, it can be combined with chemotherapy.
Dr. Klause understands that cancer treatment can feel overwhelming, but learning about each step can help you feel more in control.
Radiation therapy is a powerful tool that can combine with other advanced methods, like surgical oncology, to make a meaningful difference in outcomes.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Klause, call our office at 949-245-6910. Virtual and office visits are now available!
