Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to kill and destroy cancer cells. For safe and effective radiation therapy, patients, especially pregnant women, need to follow the procedure as well as fully understand the side effects that radiation therapy can cause during and after treatment.

Cancer during pregnancy is uncommon, but if it does happen, it can be a complicated situation for both the woman and the doctor. Cancer rarely has a direct effect on fetal development, but the method of cancer diagnosis and treatment that doctors must consider is difficult.