It is most common in the treatment of most cancers of the skin and in certain stages of cancers involving the cervix , uterus , breast, prostate and in some cases of Leukemia and Lymphoma .

When radiation is used in conjunction with cancer-treatment drugs (combined modality therapy) , it is meant as a cure or palliation (relief of symptoms).

It is commonly employed either before or shortly after surgical removal of certain tumors as it enhances the opportunity for cure by destroying tumor cells that could spread beyond surgical margins .

It is also frequently employed in controling local tumor recurrence after surgery .