Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays that target specific cancer sites. Our advanced technology allows us to precisely aim the radiation at the tumor while avoiding damage to the normal, healthy cells. Radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells, relieve symptoms associated with cancer, and/or prevent the cancer from returning.
Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.
Radiation can be delivered either from outside the body with a machine called a linear accelerator (external beam radiation) or from a radiation source implanted permanently or temporarily in the body (brachytherapy).
Different types of radiation are used to treat specific types of cancer.
3-D CRT (3 Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy)
Uses 3-dimensional images of the tumor in the patient’s body to develop a radiation treatment plan designed specifically for that individual.
IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
A form of 3D CRT, IMRT adjusts the intensity of the radiation beam to deliver a sculpted dose of radiation to the tumor while avoiding adjacent, healthy tissue.
IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy)
Improves targeting by using high-resolution imaging to track tumor position before each treatment.
Electron Beam Therapy
Targets lesions on or near the skin’s surface, often serving as an alternative to surgery with excellent cosmetic outcomes.
Sign up for our patient portal, My Healing Plan, to learn more about the radiation therapy your doctor has prescribed for you.