Radiation Oncology

Advanced Cancer Treatment in a Calm, Caring Environment

What is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation oncology, also called radiation therapy, uses powerful energy to kill cancer cells. This energy changes the cancer cells so they stop growing or spreading. Other names for this treatment include:

• Radiotherapy
• X-ray therapy
• Cobalt therapy
• Brachytherapy
• Irradiation

How Radiation Therapy Works

Radiation therapy can be given in different ways. Some patients may need more than one type of treatment.

• External Radiation
  A machine aims high-energy rays at the cancer. It’s painless, like getting an X-ray. The actual treatment only takes a few minutes, but each session lasts about 10–30 minutes for setup and positioning.
• Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)
  A small, sealed source of radiation is placed inside or near the tumor. It may stay in the body for a short time or be left in place permanently.
• Stereotactic Radiotherapy/Radiosurgery
  This advanced method focuses high doses of radiation on tumors in a short amount of time. It may help treat tumors that cannot be removed with surgery.

Possible Side Effects

Radiation therapy works by attacking fast-growing cancer cells. Sometimes, it can also affect healthy cells nearby. This may cause side effects like:

• Feeling tired
• Skin changes (like redness or dryness)
• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss (only in the area being treated)

Most side effects are mild and can be managed with medicine, diet, and rest.

Getting Ready for Treatment

Here are a few things to know before your first radiation appointment:

• Bring all your prescription medications with you.
• Wear clothes that are easy to remove. You may need to change depending on where your treatment is.
• Your doctor will tell you if it’s safe to drive yourself or if someone should come with you.

Why Choose MyMichigan Health?

• Expert Care: All our radiation doctors are board-certified and highly trained.
• Consistent Quality: Even if you're treated at different locations, all staff are part of MyMichigan Health, so you can expect the same high-quality care everywhere.
• Comfort-Focused Environment: To help you relax, many of our centers offer visual and music therapy. You can listen to soothing music or enjoy calming views of gardens, artwork, or aquariums during your treatment.

Advanced Radiation Technology

We offer some of the latest treatment options to give patients the best possible care:

• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
• RapidArc Therapy
• Prostate Seed Implants
• High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
• Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
• 4D Conformal Treatment Planning