Radiation Treatment: A Brief Overview

Cancer treatment is mainly administered by twoeffects of the radiation treatment. The radiation
methods, chemotherapy and radiation. Unlikeoncologist works closely with all involved in the
chemotherapy that uses a chemical to circulateradiation oncology team such as nurses and
the body and kill cancer cells, radiation usesradiation therapists.
concentrated beams on specific areas of theA good radiation oncologist will have extensive
body to destroy these types of cells.training and certification like all professional MDs.
A radiation oncologist is a doctor specializing inThey will have to have four years of college, four
radiation therapy who prescribes the application ofyears of medical school, a year of general medical
radiation to combat cancer cell growth.training with another four years of residency
Radiation therapy, which is also referred to astraining in radiation oncology.
radiotherapy, x-ray therapy or irradiation, usesIn addition to that, the doctor would also need to
energy called ionizing radiation to destroy cancerpass the exam to become certified by the
cells with the intention of shrinking tumors. TheAmerican Board of Radiology. As a safeguard, all
idea is to damage the cancer cells enough so thatpatients should make sure to ask that their
they are unable to pass on their DNA material ondoctor is board certified.
to grow tumor masses.The Field of Radiation Oncology
This will inevitably harm surrounding healthy cells,Radiation oncology is the field of medical study
but with the guidance of a good radiationthat focuses on how radiation therapy is best
oncologist, this is minimized and the healthy cellsused and understood to combat and treat cancer.
recover while cancer cells deplete. It is often usedThis is a niche field in medicine that has grown in
in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery andpopularity among medical students seeking a
hormone therapy.residency. It's a competitive field that yields
Duties of a Radiation Oncologisttop-notch radiation oncologists.
Radiation oncologists are doctors who overseeRadiation oncology had its beginning in the early
patients undergoing radiation treatment for their20th century where x-rays were being used to
cancer. They create the treatment plan for theirtreat cancer and other conditions. Radium therapy
patient and make sure that the proper tools andcame a few decades afterward, and in the late
proper doses of therapy are given.60s and early 70s this field became a department
These doctors also monitor and ease any sideof medical study all to itself.