What type of radiation is primarily associated with cancer treatment?

Gamma radiation is primarily associated with cancer treatment because of its high penetrating power and ability to target cancer cells effectively. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with higher energy. This allows them to penetrate tissues more deeply and is why they are commonly used in radiation therapy.

In cancer treatment, the goal is to destroy malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Gamma radiation can be precisely targeted to focus on tumors, making it effective for treatments such as external beam radiation therapy, where a beam of gamma rays is directed at the tumor from various angles. This precise targeting helps to maximize the dose received by cancer cells while reducing exposure to normal cells, thus lowering the risk of side effects.

While X-ray radiation is also used in medical imaging and in some treatment scenarios (such as certain forms of therapy), gamma radiation remains the more prevalent choice in established cancer treatment protocols due to its higher energy and greater effectiveness in disrupting the DNA of cancer cells. Alpha and beta radiation are not typically used for treating cancer because they have limited penetration power and are, in many contexts, more harmful to surrounding tissues than to the tumor itself.