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External Beam Radiation
Therapy
Linear accelerator machines that produce radiation deliver
external beam radiation treatments. Linear accelerators produce
radiation with different multiple energies that is useful
for treating all types of cancer. The location of the tumor
determines the energy of the radiation to be utilized for
treatment. The radiation is given to the patient from outside
the body. This is why it is called external beam radiation
therapy.
External beam radiation treatments are usually directed
from several different treatment machine angles (fields)
to deliver a uniform radiation dose to the tumor inside the
body. The patient will lie on a table underneath the treatment
machine. The radiation therapist will move the table and
position the patient so that the area where the cancer is
located is directly in line with the treatment machine. The
treatment will last approximately 30 seconds per treatment
field.
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