Tag Archives: cancer cells

Adrenal cancer Part 4

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is used in a number of cancers as both the main method of killing cancer cells or in combination with surgery (either before or after). The radiation comes in the form of high-energy x-rays that are delivered to the patient only in the areas at highest risk for cancer. These x-rays are similar to those used for diagnostic x-rays, only of a much higher energy. The high-energy of x-rays in radiation therapy results in damage to the DNA of cells, causing tumor cells to die. Continue reading

Abnormal mammogram

One of the scariest things a woman can hear is that her mammogram shows a suspicious mass in her breast. That news can shake a woman’s sense of well-being even after further testing fails to find breast cancer.

It’s important to remember that a mammogram is a screening test. A screening test is done to look for disease in someone who doesn’t have any symptoms.

At their best, screening mammograms can find breast cancer early. But an abnormal result by itself does not mean cancer. It just means that follow-up testing is needed. In many cases, the abnormal mammogram turns out to be a false alarm. Continue reading

5 day radiation treatment for breast cancer

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high levels of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing — while minimizing damage to healthy cells. When used for breast cancer treatment, radiation is delivered to the affected breast and, in some cases, to the lymph nodes under the arm or at the collarbone. Continue reading