Radiation Therapy
Urologists & Sexual Medicine Experts located in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA
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Radiation Therapy services offered in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, CA
Radiation therapy provides a safe and effective way to damage or destroy cancer cells. At Comprehensive Urology in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the board-certified urologists use radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, and treat cancer symptoms. Call the office today or book online to learn if you can benefit from radiation therapy.
Radiation Therapy Q&A
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-frequency energy to damage or destroy cancer cells. The radiation affects the DNA inside the cancerous cells, preventing them from replicating.
Radiation therapy is among the most prevalent cancer treatments because it can target specific parts of your body. That reduces the risk of complications.
What types of radiation therapy are there?
Comprehensive Urology offers two types of radiation therapy:
External beam radiation therapy
You sit or lie on an exam table during external beam radiation. Your Comprehensive Urology provider uses a large machine to send high-energy radiation waves inside your body. The waves are invisible but penetrate your skin, damaging or destroying the cancer cells.
Internal beam radiation therapy
During internal beam radiation therapy, your Comprehensive Urology provider sends radiation into your body with an implantable device, like a wire, tube, or capsule.
Internal beam radiation therapy is done in an operating suite at the hospital to better contain the radiation. It’s more precise than external beam therapy and requires a general anesthetic.
Which radiation therapy might benefit me?
The type of radiation therapy that will most benefit you depends on several things, including:
- Cancer type
- Tumor size
- Location of the cancer
- Your general health
- Whether you need cancer treatment
Your provider also considers how close the cancer is to other tissues sensitive to radiation.
Does radiation therapy cause side effects?
Radiation therapy is safe and usually well-tolerated, but it’s normal to experience side effects, including:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Skin irritation
- Pain
- Headaches
- Nausea
You might also experience site-specific symptoms. For example, if you’re undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer, you might experience urinary incontinence or have difficulty urinating.
How much radiation therapy will I need?
The amount of radiation therapy you need depends on several things, including where and how severe the cancer is and your age. Comprehensive Urology usually recommends a series of treatment sessions over several weeks. You take weekends off to give your body time to recuperate.
Request a radiation therapy consultation at Comprehensive Urology today. Call the office to speak with a staff member or click the online booking feature.