The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center offers external beam radiation therapy to patients who need it.

External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy.

About External Beam Radiation Therapy

 

Beams from special X-ray machines, called linear accelerators (below left) or tomotherapy machines (below right), are aimed at the tumor from outside the body. During your treatment, a beam of radiation (high-energy x-rays or electrons) is directed through the skin to destroy cancerous cells.

 

 

Treatments are usually given five days a week and last approximately 15-30 minutes, over three to seven weeks. How often and how long you are treated varies on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

Linear accelerator

Tomotherapy machine