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This therapy uses computer-generated images and treatment planning to deliver high doses of radiation to a tumor, while minimizing the amount of radiation to normal, surrounding tissues. Numerous beam angles are used to shape the radiation dose to the specific size and shape of the tumor. This higher dose to the tumor can result in a higher possibility of cure, and a lower dose to surrounding healthy tissue resulting in fewer side effects.

We can now deliver IMRT with an even higher degree of sophistication and conformality with a technique called volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT).  IMRT is intensity modulated radiotherapy.  This is a technique which uses sophisticated computer planning to “dose paint”, allowing the radiation oncologist to customize radiation treatment to each patient’s disease and normal anatomy.

A procedure that uses a computer to create a picture of a tumor to help guide the radiation beam during radiation therapy. The pictures are taken immediately before each daily radiation treatment using CT, ultrasound, X-ray, or other imaging techniques to improve targeting accuracy. Image-guided radiation therapy makes radiation therapy more accurate and causes less damage to healthy tissue.

A type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver radiation to a tumor. The total dose of radiation may be divided into several smaller doses given over several days or even given in a single dose on one day. Stereotactic radiosurgery is used to treat brain tumors and other brain disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer. When stereotactic treatments are used outside of the brain, they are commonly referred to as SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy).

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is an external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely delivers radiation to tumors in the body to help spare normal tissue. High doses of precisely targeted and focused radiation is used to ablate or kill smaller cancers commonly in the lungs, liver and occasionally other organs, with the total dose of radiation given over a few days.

Although radiation is a localized treatment (meaning restricted to a specific area or body part), it can also treat patients with cancer that has spread. Our radiation oncologists use radiation to palliate symptoms caused by cancer at primary and secondary sites.

Palliative radiation’s primary purpose is to manage symptoms and side effects. A short course of radiation can commonly palliate or relieve pain from cancer spreading to bones, as well as help with breathing difficulties or bleeding caused by cancers, to significantly help with quality of life.

You will meet with a radiation oncologist. The radiation oncologists of Arizona Oncology will help determine if radiation therapy is the best option for you and if so, what type of radiation therapy is recommended.

The doctor will review your records, perform a medical exam, and potentially order more tests that will help give us more information about your cancer and/or plan your treatment. Your doctor will also discuss the potential risks and benefits of radiation therapy with you, as well as give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

You will then have a planning session called a simulation prior to the start of treatment. This appointment isn’t a treatment, but rather a necessary procedure as part of the process to help us define the target i.e. tumor and potential sites of involvement, with the help of imaging scans such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance image (MRI), or PET/CT. To help reproduce your setup precisely at each visit, devices will be utilized to help you remain still during treatment these can include things as simple as tape, molds, headrests, or maybe even customized thermoplastic masks, a special mesh mask which will help secure you in place throughout each treatment.  Once ideal positioning is obtained, local marks are often made on your skin. The radiation oncology team wants each patient to be as comfortable as possible during treatment. Since external radiation therapy is given multiple times, it’s important that you let the team know if you feel uncomfortable or anxious during the simulation so they can help find a solution.

Once the simulation is complete, your team will review your information and design a treatment plan using highly sophisticated computer software allowing us to incorporate the information obtained from the multiple imaging studies. Your doctor will then write a prescription for the specific course of your radiation treatment.

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation (teletherapy) and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy). Your experiences will differ based on the type of therapy you receive.

Your progress will be assessed weekly. Weekly assessments by your radiation oncologist will help determine how well your treatment is working and if any adjustments need to be made. In some cases, image guidance may be used to ensure the radiation beam is always aimed correctly.

You may experience side effects. There are two kinds of radiation side effects: early (acute) and late (chronic). Your radiation oncologist will do everything possible to minimize side effects by making sure the dose is as carefully directed towards the at risk areas while minimizing exposure to surrounding normal tissues.

The most common acute side effect is fatigue and local skin irritation. Nausea and vomiting are not common. Treatments are available to help diminish side effects and most will completely go away after treatment is done.

Late side effects, also known as chronic, may or may not appear after treatment is over. The type of late side effects depends on where radiation therapy was given on the body. These are highly dependent on the location treated, and are often minor, but regardless, will be discussed with you by your Radiation Oncologist.

Rarely is another type of cancer caused by radiation therapy. For most the benefits of radiation therapy outweigh the risks.

Talk with your cancer care team about the possible side effects to help you make an informed treatment decision and help you know what to watch for during and after treatment. You may also learn more about radiation side effects here.

Personal care will be important. It’s very important to take care of yourself while undergoing treatments. The best way to care for yourself is to get extra rest, eat a healthy diet, and seek emotional support. Treating your skin with physician-approved lotions and limiting your sun exposure will also help.

Once your treatment ends, you will need to see your radiation oncologist for follow-up visits so that he or she can monitor your recovery and watch for any side effects. Your follow-up care might also include other types of cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling.

Some patients may need to continue some of the special care used during treatment until they are completely healed. Extra rest and limiting your activities may be required for some while others are encouraged to remain active and often increase exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Some may need help managing side effects that lingers after radiation therapy. Talk with your radiation oncologist about anything you may notice or have concerns about.

ASTRO: An Introduction to External Beam Radiation Therapy – Patient (video)

National Cancer Institute:

WebMD: What to expect from radiation therapy