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External Beam Radiation Therapy
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Photon Therapy
Linear accelerators (Linacs) are currently the standard treatment units used to deliver high energy x-rays (ionizing radiation) to target cancer sites.
Linear accelerators produce high-energy photons that range in energy. These high-energy photons are capable of penetrating deeply into tissues to reach tumors while delivering less radiation dose to superficial tissues such as skin.
The photon energy chosen to treat a tumor depends on the characteristics of the tumor, patient and treatment technique.
Electron Beam Therapy
Linear accelerators can also produce a beam of high-energy electrons, which penetrate into tissues.
Electron beams can be used for treating superficial tissues such as skin or lymph nodes in order to deliver a higher radiation dose superficially and a lower dose to deeper tissues.
