Radiation Therapy Health Article

KEY TERMS

Anemia—Insufficient red blood cells in the body.

Antibody—Protein molecule that recognizes and binds specifically to a foreign substance in the body in order to eliminate it.

Chemotherapy—Injecting drugs into the body where they circulate and kill cancer cells.

Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan—Using x rays taken from many angles and computer modeling, CT scans help locate and size tumors and provide information on whether they can be surgically removed.

Fractionation—A procedure for dividing a dose of radiation into smaller treatment doses.

Gamma rays—Short wavelength, high energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive substances.

Hodgkin's disease—Cancer of the lymphatic system, characterized by lymph node enlargement and the presence of a large polyploid cells called Reed-Sternberg cells.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of the interior of the body.