Radiation consists of using high-energy X-rays many times more powerful than a normal chest X-ray to destroy the ability of cells to grow and divide. Radiation specialists try and limit the amount of healthy tissue affected by radiation treatment, by targeting the beam at cancerous tissue. Radiation may be given externally, as with a normal X-ray, or it may be given as an implant of radioactive "seeds" placed near the tumor. Radiation may also be given as a radioactive fluid placed into the abdominal cavity.
Radiation can be used alone or in combination before or after surgery and/or chemotherapy. Physicians rarely use radiation at the site of a nephrectomy because intestines move into the space previously occupied by the kidney and can be damaged.
In terms of side effects, radiation may cause the skin in the treated area to look and feel sunburned. This gradually fades and returns to normal in six to 12 months. Other reported side effects include tiredness, nausea and diarrhea.
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