What is the main purpose of utilizing radiation therapy for cancer treatment?

The primary purpose of utilizing radiation therapy for cancer treatment is to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy employs high-energy rays or particles to target and destroy cancerous cells. This is achieved by damaging the DNA of the cancer cells, which inhibits their ability to reproduce and leads to cell death.

In many cases, radiation therapy is used as a curative treatment, especially for localized tumors, making it effective in controlling or eliminating cancer. It can also be employed palliatively to reduce the size of tumors and relieve symptoms in advanced cancer stages, thereby improving the quality of life for patients.

While other options have valid roles in cancer management, they do not capture the primary goal of radiation therapy as precisely as the correct choice does. For instance, improving surgical outcomes, managing pain, or enhancing chemotherapy effects are often seen as complementary aspects of cancer treatment but are not the fundamental objective of radiation therapy itself. The direct action of radiation therapy is specifically geared towards tumor reduction and cancer cell destruction.