Because the radiation treatment needs to be just right, the patient must go through a simulation first. During this process, the person lies on an X-ray table while the radiation therapist uses a special machine called a simulator to define the treatment area. When the therapist knows exactly which area of the body will get the radiation treatment, he or she marks it with ink. This "tattoo" should not be wiped off because these spots help to position the radiation for each treatment.
At each appointment, a large machine is positioned to deliver the exact amount of radiation necessary to kill the cells. It usually takes only a few minutes for a person to receive the daily dose of radiation. During a radiation treatment, a person has to lie still.
People who are having external radiation therapy usually visit the hospital on weekdays for several weeks. These doses of radiation are small, but they are strong enough to kill cancer cells. The radiation also can damage normal cells. Weekend breaks from radiation treatments give normal cells a chance to recover and let new, healthy cells grow.
At each appointment, a large machine is positioned to deliver the exact amount of radiation necessary to kill the cells. It usually takes only a few minutes for a person to receive the daily dose of radiation. During a radiation treatment, a person has to lie still.
People who are having external radiation therapy usually visit the hospital on weekdays for several weeks. These doses of radiation are small, but they are strong enough to kill cancer cells. The radiation also can damage normal cells. Weekend breaks from radiation treatments give normal cells a chance to recover and let new, healthy cells grow.
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