When Cancer Spreads, Radiation Treatment May Help

When cancer spreads from its original site to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic cancer. The cancer may travel from its original location to the brain, lungs, liver, bones or spine. This kind of diagnosis is usually the most advanced stage of cancer. 

Hearing that cancer has spread is overwhelming, and many patients fear the worst. But a metastatic diagnosis does not mean there are no more treatment options. Advances in cancer treatment, including radiation therapy, are improving quality of life and outcomes for these cancer patients.

How Radiation Therapy Treats Metastatic Cancer

Cancer care has evolved significantly over the years. Even when cancer has spread, radiation treatment can help people live well and manage symptoms.

Prashant Vempati, MD, is a radiation oncologist with ProMedica Physicians. He specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

“The goal of the treatments I provide is to help patients have a better quality of life. Many patients live a full life even with metastatic cancer,” he shares. 

Radiation therapy for metastatic cancer uses targeted energy beams. These beams damage cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. It can shrink tumors, relieve symptoms like pain and shortness of breath, and in some cases help control cancer long-term.

“When a patient has a lot of pain from the metastatic cancer or has other symptoms, radiation can be used to treat those specific areas,” Dr. Vempati explains. 

How Radiation Therapy Destroys Cancer Cells

Radiation therapy works by damaging cancer cells so they can no longer grow or survive. It does this by harming the cells’ DNA. 

“Radiation causes DNA damage to all the cells wherever we aim it,” Dr. Vempati says. “The cancer cells can’t repair themselves, so they die from radiation. The normal tissues around these cancer cells can usually repair themselves.”

Modern radiation technology allows doctors to precisely target tumors while protecting nearby healthy tissue. This precision is especially important when treating metastatic tumors in sensitive areas like the brain or spine.

When Radiation May Be Recommended

Radiation therapy can shrink or eliminate metastatic tumors in different parts of the body, including the brain and bones.

Cancer That Spreads to the Brain

Brain metastases require precise treatment to protect healthy brain tissue. Radiation can target tumors while protecting brain function and quality of life.

"If cancer has spread to the brain, radiation is used to protect brain function as much as possible," Dr. Vempati says. "If we can catch metastatic cancer in the early stages and eliminate dangerous cells, the brain will be able to continue functioning normally."

Cancer That Spreads to the Bones

Bone metastases are among the most common sites for cancer spread. Radiation therapy can effectively relieve bone pain, prevent fractures and protect spine function.

"If a patient has pain from a spine tumor, radiation can kill cancer cells and relieve symptoms," Dr. Vempati says.

When Cancer Spreads to Only a Few Places

Some patients have only a small number of metastatic tumors outside the primary cancer site. This is known as oligometastatic disease.

In these cases, doctors may use stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) — high-dose, highly targeted radiation. According to Dr. Vempati, many patients do well with this treatment, and in some cases, may be cured of cancer.  

How Radiation Works With Other Cancer Treatments

“Radiation can be used alongside treatments that travel through the body, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight cancer,” Dr. Vempati says.  
If most cancer sites respond well to medication but one area does not, radiation can treat that spot while patients continue chemotherapy or immunotherapy for the rest of the body.

Researchers are also studying something called the abscopal effect — how treating one tumor with radiation may help the immune system attack cancer elsewhere in the body.

“This can help the immune system fight cancer in more than one place. The theory is that radiation releases antigens, which helps the body create antibodies,” Dr. Vempati shares. “This helps the patient’s immune system identify other tumors elsewhere in the body.” 

Questions To Ask Your Care Team About Radiation

When diagnosed with metastatic cancer, it can be difficult to know what questions to ask. Talking with a cancer care team can help patients understand whether radiation may be helpful and what to expect.

Patients may want to ask:

• Can radiation help treat cancer that has spread in my body?
• Can radiation help relieve symptoms like pain or shortness of breath?
• What areas would be treated with radiation?
• How does radiation fit with my other cancer treatments?
• What side effects might I experience based on where radiation is given?
• How long might it take to notice symptom relief?
• How could radiation affect my daily life during treatment?

These questions can help a patient understand how radiation therapy may relieve symptoms, protect organs or improve their life.

A radiation oncologist can explain whether radiation makes sense based on the person’s cancer type, where it has spread and overall health.

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Metastatic Cancer

Radiation therapy can cause side effects, but most are temporary and manageable.

"Radiation therapy can cause fatigue, hair loss and skin changes similar to sunburn," Dr. Vempati shares.

Other side effects depend on where radiation is given. Abdominal treatment may cause nausea or diarrhea. Radiation near the throat can affect swallowing. Head and neck radiation may cause dry mouth or taste changes. 

“Most of these symptoms are usually temporary,” Dr. Vempati says. “Most of the acute side effects of radiation are usually resolved within four to six weeks after completion of radiation therapy.” 

Patients should call their care team if symptoms worsen or interfere with daily life for more than two weeks.

A Message of Hope for Patients

"A metastatic cancer diagnosis does not mean it's a death sentence," Dr. Vempati says. "We have medications and treatments that allow patients to live full lives with occasional doctor's visits."

Every cancer and every patient is different. Treatment decisions should be made in close partnership with a cancer care team that understands a patient’s goals, symptoms and overall health.

If you've been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, a radiation oncologist can help you understand whether radiation therapy could help your symptoms or quality of life.

ProMedica offers advanced radiation therapy for metastatic cancer at locations throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Our radiation oncologists work with your cancer care team to create personalized treatment plans.

Prashant Vempati, MD

This article has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vempati for accuracy. Dr. Vempati is a radiation oncologist with ProMedica Physicians. View his profile.