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Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high doses of radiation to damage cancer cells, either killing them or slowing their growth. Unlike the low-dose radiation used in X-rays to see inside the body, radiation therapy delivers much stronger doses directly to a cancerous tumor. There are two main types of radiation therapy:
- External beam therapy: Uses a machine to aim radiation at the tumor from outside the body, treating a specific area.
- Internal radiation therapy: Involves placing a radiation source inside the body, like seeds or capsules (this is called brachytherapy). Internal radiation can also be given as a liquid that travels through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells.
The type of radiation therapy a patient receives depends on various factors, including the type and location of the cancer, its size, the patient’s overall health, and whether they will receive other cancer treatments.
Multiple Myeloma Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
In multiple myeloma, external beam radiation therapy is used to treat myeloma tumors or a plasmacytoma (a single area of myeloma activity). It is also used to treat areas of bone that have been damaged by myeloma that are not improving with other treatments and are causing pain.
Radiation Therapy for Spinal Cord Compression
Myeloma can cause other problems, like weakening the spine. If this happens, the bones in the spine could collapse and press on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This is called spinal cord compression.
Signs of spinal cord compression include sudden sensations of numbness or tingling, sudden weakness in leg muscles, or sudden problems when trying to use the restroom. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your physician immediately so you can be treated as soon as possible with radiation therapy or surgery.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Radiation Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
At Fred Hutch, you will get radiation therapy from leading radiation oncologists who specialize in specific cancers, including multiple myeloma. Your Fred Hutch radiation oncologist knows the most advanced options for treating multiple myeloma and will design a personalized treatment plan for you.
Fred Hutch offers a full range of radiation therapy, including access to the latest and most innovative options through clinical trials. Our clinics feature state-of-the-art equipment so your physician and care team can deliver the best treatment for you.
To prepare for your first treatment, you’ll go through a process called simulation. During simulation, you will need imaging scans done, such as a CT scan, to help your medical team map out the treatment area.
You may be positioned on a treatment table in a specific way to ensure accuracy, and devices might be used to help you stay still. Your team will then take precise measurements and may make small marks on your skin to guide radiation delivery. This process ensures the radiation is targeted precisely at a tumor, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Treatments are similar to getting an X-ray, where you lie still while a machine emits radiation. However, when radiation is used as a treatment, the dose is much higher. The procedure itself is painless.
Each treatment you’ll receive will only be a few minutes, although getting you set up to receive the treatment and place you properly can take some time. The number of treatments you’ll need will depend on your personalized treatment plan.
Although radiation is an excellent way to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells, it can also damage nearby healthy cells. Because of this, radiation therapy can cause some side effects.
The most common side effect is extreme tiredness (fatigue). Other common side effects include skin issues like itching or a rash, as well as diarrhea, nausea and low blood counts. Possible side effects can also depend on the location of the cancer and part of your body that is treated.
Before you begin treatment, we talk with you in advance about what to expect, based on your treatment plan, and what can help if you do have side effects. We have many medications, therapies and other resources that can help you feel better.