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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
Radiotherapy| treats cancer by using high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. It’s not often used to treat AML.
However, if you need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant you may have a type of radiotherapy called total body irradiation, or TBI. Here, radiotherapy is given to the whole body to destroy the bone marrow cells. This is described in our section on stem cell and bone marrow transplants|.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.