Introduction to Radiation Therapy for Cancer

Radiation Treatment at Colorado River Oncology

Radiation therapy is a commonly used tool to treat many types of cancer. It may be used as the only therapy or it is sometimes given in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. The goal of radiation therapy for cancer is to deliver high doses of radiation to cancer cells while limiting exposure to surrounding normal tissues.

Fortunately, in contrast to cancer cells, normal cells have the capacity to repair themselves after radiation so long as they are not exposed to too much radiation at once. This is why we give radiation therapy over several weeks rather than all at once. The regenerative characteristic of normal cells, coupled with improvements in techniques to target the cancer and limit the dose to normal tissue, has facilitated a modern era of radiation therapy with excellent cancer cure rates and limited side effects.

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Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy, pronounced “brack-ay-therapy” (from the Greek word brachy, meaning “short distance”) is a treatment that involves placing radioactive material inside or near a tumor. This allows radiation to conform to the size and shape of the tumor or organ while minimizing radiation to the rest of the body.

LDR Brachytherapy

Tiny radioactive particles, or “seeds,” are implanted directly into the tumor. Each seed slowly releases radiation into the surrounding area, targeting and destroying cancerous cells. Over time, the radiation fades completely but the seeds will remain inside the body.

HDR Brachytherapy

This type of brachytherapy involves placing tiny hollow plastic catheters in or near a tumor. Once the catheter has been placed, a machine pushes a single highly radioactive seed into each catheter.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Sterotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

SBRT is a cutting-edge radiotherapy that delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor with pinpoint accuracy, decreasing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This treatment is quick, requiring just a few sessions, but more importantly, it’s extremely effective.

Specialized Cancer Care

At Colorado River Oncology we treat all types of cancer, and we specialize in several common cancers that typically respond very well to radiation therapy. With these cancers, we work closely with your medical oncologist and specialty physician (e.g. dermatologist, urologist, etc.) to ensure cooperative care so that you get the best and most comprehensive treatment possible.