Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and damage cancer cells while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. It can be an important treatment for both primary brain tumors and cancers that have spread to the brain from another part of the body.

Radiation may be used to destroy or control tumor cells, relieve symptoms associated with a brain tumor and reduce the risk of a tumor returning. Depending on the type, size and location of the tumor, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.

Your treatment is custom-tailored to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist will review the available treatment options and develop a personalized treatment plan based on established treatment guidelines and your individual needs.

Radiation treatment may involve external beam radiation therapy delivered with a linear accelerator. Depending on the individual case, highly focused radiation techniques may also be used to precisely target a tumor while reducing exposure to nearby healthy brain tissue.