Cancer
Radiation Oncology
Precision radiation therapy with IMRT, VMAT, SBRT and brachytherapy.
Introduction
Causes
- Radiation does not cause cancer at therapeutic doses — it treats cancer caused by the factors discussed elsewhere
Risk Factors
- Cancer requiring local control after surgery
- Inoperable but localised disease
- Bone, brain or visceral metastases causing symptoms
- Selected benign conditions (rare)
Symptoms
- Symptoms relate to the underlying cancer rather than to radiation itself
- Bone pain from metastases is often dramatically relieved by radiation
- Bleeding or obstruction from tumours can be controlled with palliative radiation
When to Consult a Doctor
A radiation oncologist should be part of your multidisciplinary team from the start of cancer treatment planning. Even when surgery or systemic therapy is the primary modality, an early radiation opinion clarifies whether and when radiation will be required, and shapes the overall treatment sequence.
Diagnosis
- Detailed review of all imaging and pathology
- Planning CT scan in treatment position with immobilisation
- MRI or PET-CT fusion for accurate target delineation
- 4D-CT for moving targets such as lung tumours
- Quality assurance of the treatment plan
- Daily image guidance before each treatment
Treatment Options
IMRT / VMAT
Intensity-modulated and volumetric-modulated arc therapy — beams shaped and intensity varied to conform precisely to the tumour.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Daily imaging on the treatment couch ensures the patient is in the same position to the millimetre each day.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Very high doses delivered in 3–5 sessions for small lung, liver, spine and pancreatic tumours.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Single-session high-precision treatment for brain tumours and metastases.
Brachytherapy
Radioactive sources placed inside or next to the tumour — used for cervical, prostate, breast and head-and-neck cancers.
Palliative Radiation
Short courses to relieve pain, bleeding or obstruction from advanced cancers.
Treatment Procedure
Treatment begins with a planning visit — a CT scan in the position you will be treated in, with custom immobilisation if needed. Over the next few days, the radiation oncologist and physicist build and check the plan. Treatments are delivered daily, Monday to Friday, with each session lasting 15–30 minutes — most of which is positioning and image verification. The actual radiation delivery is painless and takes only minutes. SBRT and brachytherapy involve fewer but longer sessions. Weekly review checks tolerance and adjusts supportive care.
Benefits of Treatment
- Cure of localised cancers without surgery (e.g. early larynx, prostate, cervix, anus)
- Reduced local recurrence after surgery
- Sparing of organ function (e.g. larynx preservation, breast conservation)
- Rapid relief of bone pain in metastatic disease
- Single-session or short-course options for selected tumours
- Outpatient delivery — no hospital admission required
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients continue normal activities through radiation. Side effects appear gradually over the treatment course and are specific to the site treated — skin reactions, mucositis, fatigue, urinary or bowel changes. Supportive measures, skincare and nutritional advice manage these effectively. After treatment, symptoms settle over several weeks. Follow-up imaging assesses response, and structured surveillance continues for years.
Possible Risks and Complications
What to be aware of
- Skin redness or irritation in the treated area
- Fatigue, usually mild to moderate
- Local mucosal side effects depending on the site
- Hair loss only in the treated area
- Long-term effects such as fibrosis or change in organ function
- Very small risk of a second cancer many years later
Prevention Tips
- Cancer prevention measures apply (tobacco, alcohol, weight, screening, vaccination)
- Radiation itself, when used appropriately, is part of cancer control rather than something to be avoided
Why Choose Medaura
Medaura connects you with surgeons and physicians who have trained at India’s top medical institutions and continue to publish, teach and innovate in their fields. Every recommendation we make is grounded in current international guidelines and our doctors’ direct clinical experience. We coordinate appointments, second opinions, diagnostic workups, financial estimates and travel logistics for patients from across India and abroad — so you can focus on getting better, not on navigating a fragmented healthcare system.
Senior consultants
15+ years of sub-specialty experience.
Transparent pricing
Written estimates, no hidden charges.
Rapid recovery
Modern, audited recovery pathways.
Book this treatment
Request a Consultation
A coordinator responds within one business day with next steps, costs and timeline.
Related Treatments
Curative cancer surgery — minimally invasive, robotic and complex resections.
Personalised chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Answers to Your Healthcare Questions
Get quick, reliable information about treatments, appointments, services, and patient care.
Is radiation painful?
No. The treatment itself is painless. Side effects depend on the site treated and typically begin in the second or third week.
Will I be radioactive after treatment?
External-beam radiation does not make you radioactive. Brachytherapy with permanent implants has temporary contact precautions; your team will explain in detail.
Can I work during radiation?
Most patients continue working, often with adjusted hours during the later weeks.
