Radiation therapy is a method used to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation comes from a machine outside of the body. Short bursts of x-rays are aimed at certain places inside the body. It may be used:
- Before a bone marrow transplant to kill leftover cancer in the bone marrow
- To unclog the spleen—may be done to avoid removing the spleen
- To treat areas like the spinal cord, brain, or testicles—to keep leukemia from spreading to these places
- Ease symptoms caused by later stage leukemia
References
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukemias/acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-all. Updated December 2018. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114798/Acute-myeloid-leukemia-AML . Updated August 14, 2018. March 14, 2019.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukemias/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll. Updated December 2018. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114637/Chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-CLL-Small-lymphocytic-leukemia-SLL . Updated November 21, 2017. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Chronic myeloid leukemia. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115889/Chronic-myeloid-leukemia-CML . Updated January 4, 2018. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Management of acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T906226/Management-of-acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-lymphoma-ALL . Updated October 12, 2018. Accessed March 14, 2019.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
- Review Date: 12/2018
- Update Date: 03/14/2019