Radiation is the treatment of prostate cancer with high energy beams, from x-rays or other sources, directed at a target inside the body. Radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, interfering with their ability to divide and grow.
However, scheduled breaks between radiation sessions allow normal cells a chance to repair while not giving cancer cells enough time to recover.
Advances in radiation therapy planning techniques are directed at increasing the accuracy of radiation beams. Greater accuracy will allow higher doses of radiation to be delivered to the prostate without damaging surrounding tissues.
