Print OverviewA type of radiation therapy, 3D conformal radiation is commonly used to treat cancer. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. In 3D conformal radiation, the beams are carefully shaped to match the shape of the cancer. To prepare for 3D conformal radiation, you undergo advanced imaging tests to create detailed pictures of the cancer. Radiation therapy professionals use the images to plan the shape and path of the radiation beams. The planning delivers high doses of radiation to the target and minimizes the amounts of radiation that reach the surrounding healthy tissue. This type of radiation therapy is used to treat cancers. It also can be used to treat some tumors that aren't cancerous. It can be used on cancers and tumors anywhere in the body. Since 3D conformal radiation was invented, many other advanced radiation techniques have been developed. Your radiation therapy team carefully considers your particular situation when choosing the type of radiation that's best for you. Whether you have 3D conformal radiation or another technique depends on the location of your cancer and which healthy tissues are nearby. If you have concerns or questions about the type of radiation you'll receive, discuss them with your radiation therapy team. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get Mayo Clinic cancer expertise delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address I would like to learn more about Up-to-date cancer news & research Mayo Clinic cancer care & management options ErrorSelect a topic ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Address 1 Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry By Mayo Clinic Staff 3D conformal radiation care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Doctors & Departments July 29, 2023 Print Show references External beam radiation therapy. RT Answers. https://www.rtanswers.org/How-does-radiation-therapy-work/External-Beam-Radiation-Therapy. Accessed Jan. 16, 2023. Tepper JE, et al., eds. Intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy. In: Gunderson & Tepper's Clinical Radiation Oncology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 16, 2023. Nguyen H. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. May 5, 2022. 3D conformal radiationAboutDoctors&DepartmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20314018 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures 3D conformal radiation
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get Mayo Clinic cancer expertise delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address I would like to learn more about Up-to-date cancer news & research Mayo Clinic cancer care & management options ErrorSelect a topic ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Address 1 Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry