Main Page | Risk Factors | Reducing Your Risk | Screening | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment Overview | Chemotherapy | Radiation Therapy | Other Treatments | Lifestyle Changes | Managing Side Effects | Living With Multiple Myeloma | Talking to Your Doctor | Resource Guide
Radiation therapy is the use of penetrating beams of high-energy waves or streams of particles called radiation to treat disease. Radiation therapy destroys the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide.
There are a few cases in which radiation may be used to treat multiple myeloma:
External radiation is used to treat multiple myeloma. In external radiation therapy, rays are directed at the tumor from outside the body. Treatments are given at a hospital or radiation center once a day, five days per week. The daily time spent receiving external therapy is short.
Radiation therapy does not cure multiple myeloma, but may be able to decrease symptoms.
References:
American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp .
Cancer Medicine e5. 5th ed. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc; 2000.
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ .
Rakel R. Bope E, ed. Conn's Current Therapy 2002. 54th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders Company; 2002: 439-443.
Last reviewed April 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.