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

Derived Forms

• radiotherapeutic, adjective
• ˌradioˌtheraˈpeutically, adverb
• ˌradioˈtherapist, noun

Other Words From

• radi·o·thera·pist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiotherapy¹

First recorded in 1900–05; radio- + therapy

Example Sentences

The brilliant brain surgeon Paul Brennan saved my life by chopping out most of my tumour and, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, it seems to be keeping my cancer in check for now.

From BBC

And the plans for new equipment for the NHS, such as scanners and radiotherapy machines.

From BBC

He had surgery shortly after his diagnosis to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

From BBC

This includes £1.5bn investment in equipment and buildings for the NHS, including money for surgical hubs, new scanners and radiotherapy machines.

From BBC

In sub-Saharan Africa more than 20 countries have no access to radiotherapy, which is critical to fighting cancer.

From BBC