Radiation Oncology

If you have cancer, radiation therapy is likely going to be recommended as part of your comprehensive treatment plan. Radiation therapy, also commonly called radiotherapy, uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink malignant tumors within the body. This method is often recommended to patients with aggressive forms of cancer and can be an integral part of their remission.

Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is one of the most common and effective treatments for many types of cancer. It may be recommended as a cure for cancer or to help reduce pain and other symptoms caused by cancer. The goal of radiation therapy for cancer treatment is to reduce or eliminate the tumor and spare as much healthy tissue and organ functioning as possible. Today’s state-of-the-art technology is better than ever at doing just that, while also decreasing side effects and improving cure rates.

Radiation therapy can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments. It is completely noninvasive and available on an outpatient basis.

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and prone radiation therapy. Each type of radiation therapy has its own benefits and drawbacks. We’re here to help you discover the differences between the two, so you can be an advocate for your healthcare with your medical professional.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

This type of radiation therapy is applied from outside the body using a highly advanced machine called a linear accelerator. There are three types of EBRT that a patient can receive throughout their treatment:

• 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

Each type of EBRT is a local treatment, meaning it treats only a specific part of the body affected by your cancerous cells. This helps to preserve some of the healthy tissues in other areas of the body.

Prone Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

Wooster Community Hospital is currently the only location in Wayne County that offers prone radiation positioning for breast cancer treatment. This treatment differs from traditional radiation therapy treatments because it further preserves healthy tissue from being damaged by radiation therapy.

Prone Radiation Treatment FAQs

Still, have questions about prone radiation treatment? Please review our most frequently asked questions answered by Dr. Steven Walston, radiation oncologist at Wooster Cancer Care, below. If you have any additional questions that need to be addressed, please call Wooster Community Hospital in Wooster, OH, at (330) 262-2800.