Radiation oncology treatment uses high-energy waves to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It’s a standard cancer treatment. Two-thirds of cancer patients receive radiation therapy.
Doctors use radiation therapy alone or with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, we develop a personalized treatment plan for you.
Every cell includes DNA. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA.
Radiation oncology treatment doesn’t kill cancer cells immediately. Many treatments over several days or weeks are usually required. Cancer cells continue to die after your last radiation therapy treatment.
There are two types of radiation therapy: external beam and internal. A machine aims radiation at your cancer for external radiation therapy. For internal radiation therapy, doctors put a radiation source inside your body.
Brachytherapy is internal radiation. Doctors implant radioactive material inside the body, either onto or near a tumor. When radiation hits the tumor, there is less damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
A computer program analyzes a three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) image of your tumor. The program then designs radiation beams to fit the exact measurements of your tumor.
IMRT uses computer-generated images to deliver tightly focused radiation beams to the tumor. Highly precise, this method allows radiation oncologists to increase radiation to the tumor.
Proton therapy uses charged subatomic particles to target cancer cells. The radiation beam matches the size, shape and depth of the tumor. No radiation spreads beyond the targeted area. Healthy tissues and organs aren’t damaged, and radiation side effects decrease.
Our team uses stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to treat brain and spine tumors. Detailed images identify the location of the tumor and sensitive brain structures. One treatment is usually all that’s required.
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. We offer cancer treatment designed for your unique needs. And we are here to help with all aspects of cancer care – physical, emotional and spiritual.
To make an appointment, please call 404-778-3473.
