External Beam Radiation Therapy - External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy interferes with a cell’s ability to reproduce by damaging the DNA within the cell. Normal prostate cells can repair radiation damage much more effectively than prostate cancer cells. Thus, smaller hits of radiation over a period of time allow noncancerous tissue to repair itself after radiation. Most cancer cells cannot recover from radiation, even when it is given in small doses.
External beam radiation therapy is given via a highly complex piece of equipment called a linear accelerator. Treatments are given once a day, Monday through Friday for seven or eight weeks.