Radiation therapy is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for most types of cancers, mesothelioma is no exception. Radiation therapy is a less terrifying treatment option than chemotherapy and surgical procedures and may be used in an attempt to combat the disease in its earlier stages or to help reduce some of symptoms associated with the later stages of mesothelioma. Patients treated with radiation experience minimal side effects when compared to other treatment options like chemotherapy, which makes it a viable treatment option for people with diminished immune systems or other health problems.

Radiation therapy has been used for decades to treat cancer. This treatment method uses high concentrations of radiation applied directly to the affected area to kill cancerous cells in an effort to stop the progression of the disease. Radiation kills cancerous cells on a molecular level, disabling their ability to reproduce and spread to other tissue.

Radiation therapy is not without its draw backs. Radiation is a not an effective treatment for cancer that has metastasized or spread to other tissue or organs of the body.