Radiation oncology

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty, interdisciplinary between radiology and oncology, which deals with treatment of neoplasms, using ionizing radiation from a variety of sources. Radiation oncologists commonly work in teams with medical and surgical oncologists.

Radiation delivered to improve the outcome of cancer surgery is called adjuvant radiotherapy. Palliative radiotherapy is not curative, but may reduce or stop tumor growth, or otherwise improve quality of live. Various drugs and biological response modifiers can sensitize tumors to radiation.