radiotherapy

[rey-dee-oh-ther-uh-pee]

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. treatment of disease by means of x-rays or of radioactive substances.

radiotherapy

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈθɛrəpɪ, ˌreɪdɪəʊˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk /

noun

1. the treatment of disease, esp cancer, by means of alpha or beta particles emitted from an implanted or ingested radioisotope, or by means of a beam of high-energy radiation Compare chemotherapy

Other Word Forms

• radiotherapeutic adjective
• radiotherapeutically adverb
• radiotherapist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiotherapy¹

First recorded in 1900–05; radio- + therapy

Example Sentences

Rob Caunter, who finally retired from the fish market this year, is just finishing his radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.

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The plan was to follow up with radiotherapy, but this risks significant cognitive impairment, Corinne said.

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It comes as senior cancer doctors have told the BBC that excessive red tape means some patients are struggling to access the very latest treatments like immunotherapy drugs and advanced radiotherapy.

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Survival rates for many common cancers have been rising, partly driven by new technologies such as immunotherapy drugs and more advanced radiotherapy.

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Mr Tottoh had radiotherapy to treat the damage to his bones.

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