radiation / irradiation
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radiation therapy
A medical treatment method in which ionizing radiation (e.g., X-rays) is used in a targeted way to destroy diseased tissue, especially cancer cells.
Nach der Operation musste der Patient zur Bestrahlung, um verbliebene Tumorzellen zu bekämpfen.
After the operation, the patient had to go for radiation therapy to fight remaining tumor cells.
The word is formed from 'der Strahl' (ray, beam) and the prefix 'be-'. It describes the process in which something is deliberately exposed to rays. The ending '-ung' makes it a feminine noun.
Die Bestrahlung mit UV-Licht wird zur Desinfektion von Oberflächen genutzt.
Irradiation with UV light is used to disinfect surfaces.
You can almost always recognize the exact meaning of 'Bestrahlung' (radiation/irradiation) from the context. Terms like 'Krebs' (cancer) or 'Patient' (patient) point to the medical treatment, 'Sonne' (sun) to exposure to light, and 'Lebensmittel' (food) to preservation.
Die Ärztin erklärte dem Patienten die Risiken der Bestrahlung.
The doctor explained the risks of radiation therapy to the patient.
In the medical field, 'Bestrahlung' (radiation therapy) is often used with verbs such as 'bekommen' (to get), 'erhalten' (to receive), or the phrase 'sich einer Bestrahlung unterziehen' (to undergo radiation therapy). People also speak of 'Bestrahlungstherapie' (radiation therapy).
Er muss sich nach der Operation einer Bestrahlung unterziehen.
He has to undergo radiation therapy after the operation.
radiation
'Strahlung' and 'Bestrahlung' both have to do with rays or radiation. 'Strahlung' refers to the energy itself that is emitted or transmitted. 'Bestrahlung', on the other hand, means the process in which rays or radiation act on something or someone. 'Bestrahlung' is used especially often in medicine when radiation is used in a targeted way for treatment. The words are easy to confuse because rays or radiation are involved in both cases. More naturally: you measure or describe 'Strahlung', but you receive or use 'Bestrahlung'.
Nach der Operation beginnt für den Patienten eine Bestrahlung im Krankenhaus.
After the operation, radiation therapy begins for the patient at the hospital.
Die Strahlung der Sonne ist im Sommer besonders stark.
The sun's radiation is especially strong in summer.