irradiation
/ɪˌreɪdiˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˌreɪdiˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˌrā-dē-ˈā-shən/ (ame, mw)
irradiation — noun
1. the use of controlled amounts of radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, to tre
the use of controlled amounts of radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, to treat illnesses — most often cancer — by aiming at and destroying unhealthy cells
Amara underwent a six-week course of irradiation to shrink the tumour in her lung after doctors found the cancer early.
undergo + a course of irradiation [for cancer]
The new irradiation machine at City Hospital targets cancer cells far more precisely than the old one.
irradiation machine + targets cancer cells
Pablo felt tired after each irradiation session, but his doctor said the side effects would pass soon.
Doctors explained that irradiation works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells so they cannot grow.
Ana's grandmother received daily irradiation treatments for three months to fight her lymphoma.
- radiotherapy
the most common clinical term used by doctors and hospitals
- radiation therapy
more descriptive term used in patient education materials
- radiation treatment
everyday language understood by most patients
用法筆記
Primarily used in oncology. While irradiation refers to the physical process of applying radiation, in everyday hospital settings it is often used interchangeably with radiotherapy or radiation therapy.
常見錯誤
2. the process of making something or someone go through radiation, either on purpo
the process of making something or someone go through radiation, either on purpose — such as treating food to make it last longer — or by accident
Food irradiation uses gamma rays to kill bacteria and keep spices and meat fresh longer.
food irradiation + uses gamma rays to kill bacteria
Workers at the nuclear plant wear badges that record their monthly irradiation levels.
record/receive + irradiation levels
A cooling system failure caused the irradiation of nearby farmland, forcing families to leave their homes.
Hospitals use irradiation to clean surgical tools by destroying harmful germs on their surfaces.
Researchers study how long-term low-level irradiation affects the health of nuclear workers.
- exposure
more general term; does not specify the type of radiation
- radiation exposure
explicitly names the source, often used in safety contexts
用法筆記
Distinguish from radioactive contamination: irradiation means being exposed to radiation (the person or object does not become radioactive), whereas contamination means radioactive material has actually gotten onto or into something.