Читать книгу The Cancer Directory - Dr. Daniel Rosy - Страница 102

Radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation in the form of X-rays to treat cancer. Wilhem Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895. Within a year, they were being used in the treatment of cancer. We have come a long way since then, and radiotherapy for cancer treatment is now incredibly sophisticated. Often, radiotherapy is given to effect a complete cure – called radical radiotherapy. Alternatively, it can be used after surgery to ‘mop up’ any stray cancer cells persisting around the operation site. Another important use of radiotherapy is for symptom control in palliative care.