Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation focused on a cancer from a source outside the body is called external beam radiation. This is the type of radiation therapy most often used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 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 of radiation. 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 (primary) 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.

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

Immediate side effects of radiation therapy may include sunburn-like skin problems or fatigue. Radiation of the abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Often these effects go away after a short while.

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 could also affect the heart. In the long term, radiation may increase the risk of lung cancer (especially in smokers) and of breast cancer, though it is not common.

• 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. Although a person's risk of this happening is not high, because so many people with lymphoma are cured, this is a major problem.

Radiation may also make the side effects of chemotherapy worse.

Last Medical Review: 07/17/2009
Last Revised: 07/17/2009