Radiation
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy- external beam and internal, and whether one or both is in your treatment plan depends on many factors. Your doctor and care team will determine the type of therapy needed based on cancer type, tumor size, where the tumor is in your body, the tumor’s proximity to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation, your overall health and medical history, as well as your age and other medical conditions.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External Beam Radiation Therapy comes from a large machine or linear accelerator which aims radiation directly at your cancer. The machine doesn’t touch you but can move around you and send radiation from many directions to the part of your body with cancer cells.
Internal Radiation Therapy
Internal Radiation Therapy uses solid or liquid radiation that is put in or near the tumor in your body.
How does radiation work against cancer?
High doses of radiation damage cancer cells’ DNA, killing them or slowing their growth so they will stop dividing or die. Damaged cells that die then break down and are removed by the body. Radiation can take days or weeks to damage DNA enough for cancer cells to die. After therapy ends, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months.
How is radiation administered?
Radiation may be administered through a high-tech laser-like machine, or through an IV.
Radiation Oncology Locations
Baton Rouge General Cancer Center - Bluebonnet
8585 Picardy Avenue
Medical Tower 2, Back Entrance
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Baton Rouge General Cancer Center - Mid City
3401 North Boulevard
Entrance 4
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
