Meaning of RADIATION THERAPY

Pronunciation:			`reydee'eyshun 'therupee
WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  (medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to radiation from a radioactive substance
	Websites:
	Synonyms:		actinotherapy, irradiation, radiation, radiotherapy
	See Also:		Curietherapy, phototherapy, radium therapy, therapy, X-ray therapy
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		The use of high-energy penetrating rays or subatomic particles to treat disease. Types of radiation include x-ray, electron beam, alpha and beta particles, and gamma rays. Radioactive substances include cobalt, radium, iridium, and cesium. See : gamma rays, brachytherapy, teletherapy, and x-ray. Also called radiotherapy.
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		The use of x-rays, gamma rays, or electrons to destroy cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy is a form of treatment for cancer or abnormal growth by irradiating the target with radioactive material which can be gamma rays, electrons, alpha particles, and positrons. Common side effects are: patients usually feel very tired during treatment. The radiated tissue looses texture, becomes red (erythematous) , hard and itchy (desquamated) ; towards the end, it can be moist and weepy. Ulceration and necrosis may be seen. Some organs in the field of radiation may be affected, e.g. pulmonary fibrosis from the treatment of breast cancer, radiation enteritis from radiation for intra-abdominal malignancies.