Understanding Radiation Therapy
How modern radiation therapy targets tumors while sparing healthy tissue — including what a typical course looks like, common side effects, and how IMRT, SBRT, and brachytherapy differ.
Physician video coming soon
We're producing this video with our physicians. Read the full guide below — it mirrors the script.
Why this video matters
Patients often picture radiation as it was 30 years ago. Modern techniques are precise, well-tolerated, and often outpatient.
Who this is for:
- Patients scheduled for a radiation consult
- Patients combining radiation with chemotherapy
- Caregivers driving patients to daily treatments
What you'll learn
How it works
Focused beams damage cancer cells' DNA so they can't reproduce. Healthy cells repair themselves better than cancer cells do.
Modern techniques
IMRT shapes the dose. SBRT delivers high dose in 1–5 sessions. Brachytherapy places sources inside the body for short, focused treatment.
What a typical course looks like
Simulation, planning, then daily 15–30 minute treatments for 1–8 weeks depending on the plan.
Side effects
Mostly local — skin changes, fatigue, and area-specific effects (e.g., sore throat for head/neck). Most resolve within weeks.
Video script outline
This is the outline our physician follows. Use it as a transcript-style reference while reading.
1. What modern radiation actually is
0:00 – 0:30- Doctor intro
- Why it's not the radiation people imagine
2. How treatment is planned
0:30 – 1:30- Simulation CT
- Custom mask or marker
- Physics team & QA
3. A typical treatment day
1:30 – 2:30- Check-in
- Setup
- Beam-on time is minutes
- Daily for weeks
4. Side effects, region by region
2:30 – 3:30- Skin care
- Fatigue
- Area-specific effects
- What to call about
5. Life during treatment
3:30 – 4:00- Work
- Driving
- Travel
Common questions
- Will I be radioactive?
- Standard external-beam radiation does not make you radioactive. Brachytherapy has specific guidance we'll review.
- Can I keep working?
- Many patients work part-time during radiation. Fatigue builds over weeks, so plan rest into your schedule.