What occurs during radiation therapy?

During radiation therapy, X-ray beams are specifically aimed at a tumor with the primary goal of damaging the cancer cells within that tumor. This targeted approach is intended to destroy cancer cells or inhibit them from proliferating, thereby reducing the size of the tumor or eliminating it altogether. The precision of radiation therapy allows for a higher intensity of treatment directly at the tumor site while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, reducing potential side effects.

In contrast, the other options describe different treatment modalities: chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells; surgery, which involves physically removing the tumor from the body; and targeting healthy cells in a manner that is not consistent with the goals of radiation therapy. Understanding the specific function of radiation therapy is critical in recognizing how it fits into the broader spectrum of cancer treatment options.