Treatment: Radiation, Chemo & Targeted
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to damage and kill tumor cells, a cornerstone of treatment for many gliomas.
In short: Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
- It uses high-energy beams to damage tumor cells.
- It is a cornerstone of treatment for many gliomas.
- It targets the tumor while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible.
- It is often used after surgery.
What it is
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) uses high-energy beams (such as X-rays or protons) to damage the DNA of tumor cells, killing them or stopping their growth. It is a cornerstone of treatment for many gliomas, often used after surgery to treat remaining tumor.
Understanding Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Because diffuse gliomas infiltrate beyond what surgery can remove, radiation is frequently used to treat the remaining tumor cells. Radiation works by damaging tumor cells' DNA so they cannot survive or divide; it is carefully targeted to the tumor area while sparing surrounding healthy brain as much as possible. For high-grade gliomas (such as glioblastoma), radiation is a standard part of treatment, usually given after surgery and often together with chemotherapy. For some lower-grade gliomas, radiation may be used depending on the situation. The way radiation is delivered — the total dose, how it is divided, and the technique — is tailored to the tumor type, grade, and location. Radiation is planned and delivered by radiation oncologists using detailed imaging to focus the treatment. It is one of the main tools, alongside surgery and chemotherapy, for treating gliomas. Understanding radiation therapy in gliomas clarifies a cornerstone treatment that targets tumor cells with high-energy beams.
Why it matters
Understanding radiation therapy helps patients and families see a cornerstone of glioma treatment — using targeted high-energy beams to treat tumor cells that surgery cannot remove, often after surgery and sometimes with chemotherapy.
Common questions
What is radiation therapy?
Treatment using high-energy beams to damage tumor cells.
Why is it used for gliomas?
To treat tumor cells, especially those surgery cannot remove.
When is it given?
Often after surgery, sometimes with chemotherapy.
Bottom line
Radiation therapy uses targeted high-energy beams to damage and kill tumor cells — a cornerstone of glioma treatment, often used after surgery.
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