External Beam Radiation

External beam radiation is the most widely used type of radiation therapy. The radiation is focused from a source outside the body onto the area affected by cancer. It is much like getting an x-ray, but for a longer time. The radiation is delivered via a stream of high-energy particles, or waves, to destroy the ability of cancer cells to divide and multiply. 

External beam radiation may be used to treat large areas of the body or possibly more than one area such as the main tumor and nearby lymph nodes.  External beam radiation is usually given in daily treatments over several weeks.