Patient Information

Patient Experience: Radiation

External Radiation

External radiation is usually administered daily, Monday through Friday, over a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Before external beam radiation can begin, a simulation must be performed. The images obtained during a simulation allow the physician to block as much adjacent normal tissue as possible. At the end of the simulation, small permanent tattoo dots are placed on your skin. The goal of external beam radiation is to treat the area of the tumor or tumor bed for women who have had a hysterectomy, the adjacent lymph nodes, vessels and supporting ligaments, all of which may be at risk for cancer spread. The purpose of radiation is to decrease the risk of the tumor recurring where the radiation beams are directed, and this may not only decrease recurrence rates but also increase survival depending on the disease and specific features of each tumor. Women who are treated with both external and brachytherapy typically receive the brachytherapy after or toward the end of completing their course of external radiation. Some patients do receive external beam radiation alone, and do not need brachytherapy. The need for brachytherapy will be discussed by your physician with you at the time of your consultation.