Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
Donations, website, or event-related assistance
Tobacco-related topics
Volunteer opportunities
Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
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Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation is seldom part of the treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but it might be used in certain situations.
Some people have symptoms if swollen internal organs (such as an enlarged spleen) press on other organs. For instance, pressure against the stomach may affect appetite. If these symptoms are not helped by other treatments, radiation to shrink the spleen may be an option.
Radiation can also be useful in treating pain from bone damage caused by the growth of leukemia cells within the bone marrow.
Radiation therapy may be given in low doses to the whole body, as part of a stem cell transplant.
Side effects of radiation therapy
The main short-term sideeffects of radiation therapy depend on what part of the body is treated.
Fatigue (tiredness) is a common side effect (no matter what part of the body is treated).
Skin changes can occur in the treated area which range from mild redness to blistering and peeling.
If radiation is aimed at the head or neck, the inside lining of your mouth and throat may become red and irritated.
Radiation to the belly or pelvis can cause nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.
More information about radiation therapy
To learn more about how radiation is used to treat cancer, see Radiation Therapy.
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.