Approximately 50% of cancer patients who undergo cancer therapy are subjected to radiation therapy at some point of the treatment plan. Radiation treatment is largely a local therapy in which radiation is administered in and around the cancer cells, and hence accuracy in radiation oncology is pivotal to determine its effectiveness. Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from dividing and growing. The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Radiation therapy is included in the patient's individualised treatment plan as the primary form of treatment, combined with other treatments like chemotherapy to fight against the growth of new cancer cells, before surgery to shrink a tumour, after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, as a treatment for cancer that has spread to other areas of the body or as a palliative treatment to relieve pain.

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy involves directing a beam of radiation from outside the body at the site of the cancer. Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, involves placing a radioactive source inside the body near the site of the cancer.

Radiation Oncology is a rapidly evolving field, with new technologies and techniques being developed all the time. Some of the latest advances in Radiation Oncology include:

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): A type of external beam radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to small tumors in a few treatment sessions.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): A type of external beam radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to guide the radiation beams and deliver precise doses of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): A type of external beam radiation therapy that uses imaging technology to guide the radiation beams and ensure that they are delivered precisely to the tumor.