Care for Cancer Patients undergoing radiation therapy

Radiation therapy can be used:

• As a standalone treatment when surgical removal of the tumor is not feasible (primary treatment).
• Before surgery to shrink the tumor (neoadjuvant therapy).
• After surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells (adjuvant therapy).
• In combination with other treatments like chemotherapy to enhance effectiveness.
• For advanced stages to relieve symptoms (palliative therapy), especially for cancers that have spread to the brain, bones, or soft tissues.

Radiation therapy is also used to treat specific cancers such as thyroid cancer, localized head and neck cancers, and cervical cancer.