When you undergo external beam radiation therapy treatment, each session is painless, just like getting an X-ray. The radiation is directed at your tumor from a machine located away from your body, usually a linear accelerator. External beam radiation is noninvasive. One of the benefits of radiation therapy is that it is usually given as a series of outpatient treatments so you don’t have to stay in the hospital. You may not need to miss work or experience the type of recuperation period that may follow more invasive treatments.

Learn more about what to expect.

Caring for Yourself During Treatment

Cancer treatment can be difficult. You have many issues to cope with. Your oncology team, along with family and friends, are available to help.

Get plenty of rest during treatment
When possible, continue your normal activities to the best of your abilities
Follow your doctor’s orders
If you have any questions about your radiation treatment, make sure you ask your radiation team.
Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, and/or supplements you are taking to make sure they are safe to use during radiation therapy.
Eat a balanced diet.

Find out more about how to care for yourself during treatment.

Side Effects

The side effects you might experience will depend on your general health, the part of the body being treated, the dose and frequency of radiation given, and whether you also receive other systemic treatments concurrently, including hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Even when two people are receiving the same treatment, each patient may still experience different types, intensities, and frequency of side effects, as each person’s organs can react differently to radiation therapy. As such, you should make sure to remain in close communication with your radiation therapy team to discuss ongoing side effects and management strategies to reduce the impact of these effects on your overall physical and mental functioning.

Find out more about side effects.

Questions to Ask During Treatment

It is very important that you ask questions during your treatment. Take someone with you to write answers down and help you keep track of the things that you are hearing from your physician. If you forget something, it is ok to ask a question again. The important thing is that you understand what is happening and what you will be going through during the course of your treatment.

Please remember, there are no stupid questions! Your radiation oncologist has likely heard your question before and will be happy to answer it. It is always better to ask the question and get an informed response rather than leave the question unanswered or guess the correct answer. These situations can be tricky!

The following are some questions you may want to ask during your treatment.

Can I drive myself to and from the treatment facility? Where should I park?
What side effects may occur from the radiation treatment and how are they managed?
Do I need a special diet during or after my treatment?
Will I be able to continue my normal activities?
Can I smoke or drink alcohol?
Is it safe to take vitamins or other supplements during treatment?
How can I expect to feel during treatment and in the weeks following radiation therapy?

The information on this site was created by our medical advisory board made up of physicians and other members of the radiation oncology team with expertise in radiation therapy and on the topics presented. However, this material is informational only and should not be used in place of advice from a medical professional. If you have questions about a specific treatment, please ask your radiation oncologist.