Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. You might also hear it called radiotherapy, irradiation, x-ray therapy, radiation treatment, or sometimes just radiation.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons, to destroy or damage cancer cells. It may be used alone or with other treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy (chemo), hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

How is radiation therapy used to treat cancer?

The cells in your body grow and divide to form new cells. But cancer cells grow and divide faster than most normal cells.

Radiation for cancer works by making small breaks in the DNA inside cells. This keeps cancer cells from growing and dividing and causes them to die. Nearby healthy cells can be damaged by radiation, but most healthy cells heal and go back to working the way they should.

How is radiation therapy given?

Radiation therapy can be given in three ways. Sometimes, more than one type of radiation is used. The type of radiation therapy you get depends on your cancer and where it is in your body. Your cancer care team can answer specific questions about the type of radiation you are getting, how it will affect your body, and any safety measures you need to take.

1. External radiation (also known as external beam radiation) uses a machine to direct high-energy rays from outside your body into the tumor. It is done during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center. External radiation is usually given daily (Monday–Friday) for many weeks. Sometimes, it is given twice a day for several weeks.
2. Internal radiation is also called brachytherapy. During this treatment, a radioactive source is put inside your body, either into or near the tumor. Sometimes, the radiation source is put in your body permanently. Sometimes, it is placed in your body for a certain amount of time and then removed. This depends on your type of cancer. If you get internal radiation, you do have to take special safety measures for a period of time. If the source is left in your body permanently, it eventually stops giving off radiation.

• Systemic radiation uses radioactive drugs to treat certain types of cancer. These drugs are taken by mouth or put into a vein, and they travel throughout your body. If you get systemic radiation, you might have to follow special safety measures at home for a period of time.

The new center, located in the 11000 block of Legacy Avenue in Palm Beach Gardens, will open for patient care in Spring of 2026.