Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
When radiation is used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it is most often done with a carefully focused beam of radiation, delivered from a machine outside the body. This is known as external beam radiation. The treatment is much like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is more intense. The procedure itself is painless. Before the treatments start, the radiation team takes careful measurements to determine the correct angles for aiming the radiation beams and the proper dose. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes, although the setup time – getting you into place for treatment – usually takes longer. Most often, radiation treatments are given 5 days a week for several weeks.
Radiation can also be given in the form of a drug in some cases (see the section, "Immunotherapy" for more details).
Radiation might be used as the main treatment for some types of lymphoma if they are found early (stage I or II), because these tumors respond very well to radiation. For more advanced lymphomas and for some lymphomas that are more aggressive, radiation is sometimes used along with chemotherapy.
People who are getting a stem cell transplant may get radiation to the whole body along with high-dose chemotherapy, to try to kill lymphoma cells throughout the body. For more information, see the section, "High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant."
Radiation therapy can also be used to ease (palliate) symptoms caused by lymphoma that has spread to internal organs, such as the brain or spinal cord, or when a tumor is causing pain because it is pressing on nerves.
Possible side effects
The side effects of radiation therapy depend on where the radiation is aimed. Some people have skin changes similar to sunburn, which slowly fades away. Other possible short-term side effects include fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, or diarrhea. Radiation given to several areas, especially after chemotherapy, can lower blood cell counts.
Radiation of the abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Radiation to the head and neck area can lead to mouth sores and trouble swallowing. Often these effects go away a short while after treatment is finished.
Possible long-term side effects of radiation therapy can be more serious.
- Chest radiation therapy may cause lung damage and lead to trouble breathing. It can also affect the heart, making you more likely to have a heart attack later on.
- Radiation to the neck can lead to thyroid problems later in life. This can lead to fatigue and weight gain. Treatment with pills containing thyroid hormone can help with this. Radiation to the neck may also increase the risk of stroke many years later.
- Side effects of brain radiation therapy usually become most serious 1 or 2 years after treatment and may include headaches and problems such as memory loss, personality changes, and trouble concentrating.
- Other types of cancer can form in the area that received radiation. For example, radiation to the chest may increase the risk of lung cancer (especially in smokers) and of breast cancer. This happens rarely.
Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse.
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