radiotherapy

noun

ra·​dio·​ther·​a·​py ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē 

: the treatment of disease with radiation (such as X-rays)

radiotherapist

ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈther-ə-pist 

noun

Examples of radiotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Treatments like surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can help prolong survival, though there is currently no cure. —Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

In the fight against cancer, an important field of research is the search for safe alternatives to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. —Javier Carbajal, Wired News, 4 Nov. 2025

Alex has since undergone 60 sessions of radiotherapy, as well as four cycles of high-dose chemotherapy. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025

One reason for this is that the cancer is intrinsically resistant to nearly all forms of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. —New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radiotherapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy

Medical Definition

radiotherapy

noun

ra·​dio·​ther·​a·​py ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈther-ə-pē 

plural radiotherapies

: the treatment of disease by means of radiation (as X-rays)

called also radiation therapy, radium therapy

compare radiodiagnosis