Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is a targeted treatment for cancer. Arizona Center for Cancer Care is a state-of-the-art cancer center with offices in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, and Tempe, Arizona, that specializes in radiation oncology. With multiple offices across the Valley, getting the oncology care you need is only a few miles away. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are also available.

What is radiation oncology?

Radiation oncology is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells in targeted locations. The energy beams only affect the area undergoing treatment, which is why radiation oncology is called a local therapy. 

Radiation oncology works by damaging the DNA in the cancer cell. That damage stops the replication of cancer cells, preventing further growth of the cancer. Ultimately, the damaged cancer cells die, and your body gets rid of them.

You need days or weeks of radiation therapy to damage enough of the cancer cells to stop further growth. And, the cancer cells continue to die weeks to months after you stop treatment.

What are the types of radiation oncology?x

Arizona Center for Cancer Care is always looking for the best cancer treatments and technology available. They utilize many types of radiation oncology and continuously update their treatments as new therapies become available. The practice also actively participates in clinical trials to offer patients the most current treatments.

Types of radiation oncology include:

External Beam Radiation

External beam radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays or particles, such as X-rays to destroy or damage cancer cells. This treatment is delivered from outside the body, targeting the cancerous tumor with precision while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. During the procedure, a machine called a linear accelerator directs the radiation beams towards the tumor from various angles, effectively destroying the cancer cells' ability to grow and multiply. External beam radiation therapy is typically administered over multiple sessions, allowing for the delivery of precise doses while giving healthy cells time to recover between treatments. It's often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments like surgery or chemotherapy to improve outcomes and enhance the chances of successful cancer treatment.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation oncology. For this therapy, your board-certified radiation oncologist places radioactive beads or seeds in or near your cancerous tumor. 

The radioactive beads or seeds may remain in place for a few minutes (high-dose rate implants) or several days (low-dose rate implants).

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

With SRS, the oncologists use computers that pinpoint the location of your tumor and then deliver high doses of radiation directly at the tumor, limiting radiation exposure to the healthy surrounding tissue.

GammaTile

GammaTile® Therapy is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and is FDA-cleared as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed malignant intracranial neoplasms and patients with recurrent intracranial neoplasms, including brain metastases, glioblastomas, and meningiomas. For more information please click here.

Types of Radiopharmaceuticals

PLUVICTO^® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan)

PLUVICTO is a radiopharmaceutical used to treat adults with an advanced cancer called prostate-specific membrane antigen­–­positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMA-positive mCRPC) that:

• has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
• has already been treated with other anticancer treatments

View the AZCCC patient safety video here. 

LUTATHERA® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate)

LUTATHERA^® (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) that are positive for the hormone receptor somatostatin, including GEP-NETs in the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.

Why would I need radiation oncology?

Arizona Center for Cancer Care uses radiation oncology to treat cancerous tumors that are not surgically removable because of location or how the tumor interacts with vital organs.

The specialists also use radiation oncology following limited breast cancer surgery, also called breast-conserving surgery, to reduce the risk of relapse.

What can I expect during radiation oncology?

The radiation oncologists at Arizona Center for Cancer Care customize care to best meet your needs. They explain what you can expect during radiation oncology at your consultation.

Depending on the cancer type and treatment needs, you may need radiation therapy five days a week for 6-7 weeks. Treatments take 10-30 minutes. 

You may feel tired following radiation therapy. Other side effects depend on the type of cancer you have and where you’re getting the therapy.

For expert radiation oncology, call Arizona Center for Cancer Care or schedule an appointment online today. 

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