radiotherapy

American  

[rey-dee-oh-ther-uh-pee] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

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

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radiotherapy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• radiotherapeutic
  adjective
• radiotherapeutically
  adverb
• radiotherapist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of radiotherapy

First recorded in 1900–05; radio- + therapy

Example Sentences

Harris said he immediately began a course of radiotherapy after the diagnosis, which meant spending two weeks in hospital "to bring things back under control".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

These patients often undergo radiotherapy near the mouth, which can damage salivary glands and reduce saliva production.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Pelvic radiotherapy for anal cancer can cause significant, long-term vaginal damage due to the proximity of the vaginal tissues to the treatment area.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

As part of her treatment, she needed radiotherapy followed by an operation to remove two muscles from her right thigh, which left her with minimal movement.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

It was through those connections she discovered vorasidenib, a less aggressive treatment used for patients not in need of immediate chemotherapy or radiotherapy following surgery.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026