nonsurgical therapy

Nonsurgical therapy refers to medical treatments that do not involve surgery. This broad category includes various approaches aimed at healing or managing conditions without operative procedures.1

One significant nonsurgical therapy is radiation therapy, which uses ionizing radiation to damage or destroy cancer cells by harming their DNA. This method can be an alternative to surgery, potentially preserving organ structure and function. The type and delivery of radiation are tailored to the specific tumor and surrounding tissues. Radiation therapy can be used to cure cancer, shrink tumors to alleviate pain or pressure, or manage symptoms when a cure is not possible. Other nonsurgical methods include the use of radioactive implants directly within tumors or the ingestion of radioactive substances to treat specific conditions like hyperthyroidism.2