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At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body.Jan 8, 2019

Can tumors grow during radiation?

Growth of cancer in the radiation field during therapy is unusual. It appears to be associated with a very poor prognosis even with aggressive salvage therapy. This observation should be taken into consideration in the medical/surgical management of these patients.

Do tumors continue to shrink after radiation?

For most people, the cancer experience doesn't end on the last day of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy usually does not have an immediate effect, and it could take days, weeks or months to see any change in the cancer. The cancer cells may keep dying for weeks or months after the end of treatment.

Does radiation shrink all tumors?

Radiation therapy is always a balance between destroying the cancer cells and minimizing damage to the normal cells. Radiation doesn't always kill cancer cells or normal cells right away. It might take days or even weeks of treatment for cells to start dying, and they may keep dying off for months after treatment ends.

How long does it take radiation to shrink a tumor?

Treatment lasts anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks, depending on the type of cancer you have and the goal of your treatment. This span of time is called a course of treatment.

Why would a tumor grow after radiation?

Many of the commonly used cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, kill tumor cells. But sometimes, after those cells have died and been cleared away, a tumor will respond by growing faster and more aggressively.

Which is worse chemo or radiation?

A systemic treatment like chemotherapy or liquid radiation may have more off-target side effects than a local treatment. But local treatments that are administered only to the cancer site, like external beam radiation or solid internal radiation treatment, may have more extreme side effects in that area of the body.

What is the success rate of radiation therapy?

When it comes to early stages of disease, patients very frequently do well with either brachytherapy or external beam radiation. Success rates of around 90% or higher can be achieved with either approach.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

With internal radiation, you may need to avoid touching the patient until the implant is removed or limit the time you spend very close to them. With systemic radiation therapy, you may also have to avoid the person's bodily fluids for a few days after treatment.

Can tumors come back after radiation?

Despite treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, sometimes cancer comes back. And while many cancers recur in the first five years, some can recur decades later.