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← Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors

FOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING

Radiation therapy

Source: Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: February 20, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.

Context: Treatment Option Overview / The following types of treatment are used:

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy:

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External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer.

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Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer.

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Radiopharmaceutical therapy is a type of internal radiation therapy. Radiation is given to the tumor using a drug that has a radioactive substance, such as iodine I 131, attached to it. The radioactive substance kills the tumor cells.

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External and internal radiation therapy are used to treat GI neuroendocrine tumors that have spread to other parts of the body.

Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice