What are the two main types of radiation therapy?

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam and internal.

External beam radiation therapy comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. The machine does not touch you but can move around you, sending radiation from many directions. It is a local treatment, meaning it treats a specific part of your body.

Internal radiation therapy places a source of radiation inside your body. A solid source placed in or near the tumor is called brachytherapy (also local). A liquid source is a form of systemic therapy that travels in the blood throughout the body.

Which type you have depends on factors such as the type of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and your general health. Your care team will explain the plan chosen for you.