Radiation Oncology
Radiation therapy or radiation oncology is the use of energy (called ionizing radiation) to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. These radiation beams are similar to the rays emitted by a CT scan or x-ray, however they use higher energy. Radiation can be administered externally, internally or in the form of a radiopharmaceutical; your physician will discuss the best plan for you.
We know that this process can sound intimidating, but radiation oncology can be a very beneficial and safe way to treat cancer. Radiation works by focusing on an area called the target tissue, pointing radiation beams at those areas, causing damage to cancer cells and limiting harm to nearby, healthy tissue.
Using IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) allows radiation oncologists to more precisely plan and treat cancers while also using higher doses of radiation to limit the number of appointments a patient must attend. Half of all cancer patients are treated with radiation as a part of their treatment plan to stop the growth of cancer cells and prevent new cells from growing.
What Are the Steps You Can Expect?
- Diagnosis: This can be the scariest step, but your providers can offer you support during this time.
- Meet with radiation oncologist: This is when we will discuss cancer histories, conduct an exam and then state purposes and goals for treatment, and answer any questions patients might have.
- Simulation: At this appointment, we will use a series of CT scans to take measurements and determine how to accurately target the site for treatment.
- Treatment planning: The dosimetrist calculates your treatment plans and selects the correct beam sizes, angles, energies and shielding for the patient’s body.
- Testing & treatment: We will test the measurements and begin treatment at the next appointment.
FAQ’s
Q: What is radiation therapy?
A: Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer using beams of high-energy waves called radiation.
The radiation used for cancer treatment comes from special machines or from radioactive substances. Radiation therapy machines aim specific amounts of the radiation at tumors or parts of the body where there is/was disease to kill cancer cells or keep them from spreading.
Information on your treatment plan is available through your radiation oncology providers. Radiation affects all cells. Healthy cells are typically able to repair themselves through normal cell function. Unhealthy cells, such as cancer cells, are not able to repair after radiation.
Q: What are the types of radiation therapy?
A: External radiation therapy is given from a special machine (called a linear accelerator). The patient never becomes radioactive.
Internal radiation therapy is when the source of radiation is placed inside the body near the cancer cells. The length of time the implant is in place depends upon the type of implant received.
Q: Why is radiation given?
A: Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and a few non-cancerous diseases. Radiation treatments can be used to:
- Treat cancer by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells
- Shrink tumors to reduce pain, pressure or other side effects if a cure is not possible. The term palliative is often used to describe this process.
Radiation therapy is often used with other treatments. Radiation may be used before, during or after surgery. It can be used to shrink the tumor to a smaller size before surgery or to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Sometimes doctors give radiation during surgery so the radiation can be directed right at the cancer cells without having to go through the skin.
Radiation can also be used with chemotherapy. Sometimes radiation is given to shrink the tumor before or during chemotherapy so the medicines will work better. Other times the chemotherapy helps the radiation treatment work better than chemotherapy alone.
Q: Who are the radiation therapy providers?
A: The providers are as follows:
Radiation oncologist — the doctor who will prescribe the type and amount of treatment that is correct for you. The radiation oncologist will work closely with the other doctors and health care workers that make up your health care team.
Radiation physicist — the person who makes sure that the equipment is working properly and that the machine delivers the right amount of radiation. The physicist will work closely with the radiation oncologist to plan your treatment.
Dosimetrist — will work under the direction of the radiation oncologist and the physicist. They calculate the amount of radiation to be delivered to the cancer and the normal tissues that are close by.
Radiation therapy technologist (RTT) — the person who delivers the prescribed dose of radiation under the direction of the radiation oncologist.
Radiation nurse — will help you to learn about your cancer and the treatment. They can also tell you how to manage side effects. The nurse can help you set up visits with other members of the health care team.