Radiation Therapy
Advanced Radiation Oncology at Exeter Hospital
In collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, our radiation oncologists design precise and accurate treatment plans tailored to each patient. Using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced imaging techniques, they target tumors while protecting nearby healthy tissues.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is a proven and effective treatment for many types of cancer throughout the body. More than half of people diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy at some point during their care. Your oncologist may recommend radiation therapy on its own or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery, depending on the type of cancer and the specific details of your diagnosis.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or particles to treat disease. At these therapeutic doses, radiation can destroy the life force of cells (DNA) and subsequently prevent them from growing and dividing. Because cancer cells typically grow and multiply more quickly than surrounding healthy cells, radiation therapy is an effective treatment for many types of cancer.
Although radiation affects both healthy and diseased cells in the treated area, it is delivered in carefully planned, small doses over time. This approach allows healthy cells to repair and recover, while cancer cells are less able to heal and survive.
Understanding Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology is the medical specialty concerned with treatment of cancer (oncology) and noncancerous conditions using precise, highly-targeted energy. In radiation oncology, a physician called a radiation oncologist evaluates whether radiation therapy should be part of your treatment plan, prescribes the dose and schedule, and oversees your care throughout the course of treatment. Radiation can be used alone with the goal of cure, combined with surgery or medicines, or given to ease pain, bleeding, or other symptoms when cure is not possible.
Types of Radiation Therapy
We offer a wide range of leading-edge radiation therapy options to treat cancer and certain benign conditions. The approach your oncologist recommends is based on your specific diagnosis and your unique individual factors. Our specialists use advanced image-guided technology during treatment to deliver radiation with the highest level of precision and accuracy — targeting disease while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
3D Conformal Radiotherapy
In this type of radiation therapy, the radiation dose is carefully focused on the tumor, while surrounding tissues receive little to no exposure. Specialists use detailed 3D images of the tumor — created from CT, MRI or PET scans — and advanced computer planning software to precisely shape and direct the radiation, minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissue.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
This therapy enhances precision when treating areas of the body that move, such as the lungs. Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) allows your oncologist to view images of the tumor before and during treatment, showing the exact position of your body and the tumor. This real-time information enables the radiation beams to be adjusted for highly accurate tracking and targeting.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
IMRT and VMAT are advanced forms of radiation therapy that deliver highly precise doses of radiation to a tumor. Using sophisticated technology, the radiation beam is carefully shaped to match the exact contours of the tumor. This allows the tumor to receive a high dose of radiation while significantly reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissue. In addition, the intensity of each radiation beam can be adjusted, enabling different doses to be delivered to different parts of the tumor for more targeted treatment. VMAT allows for the modulated delivery of radiation in a continuous motion.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
SBRT and SRS are highly precise and accurate forms of radiation treatment that target certain structures with high doses over a shorter period compared to conventional radiation using points on the body to create a three-dimensional approach to treatment. Oftentimes, additional imaging is obtained to help with tracking the tumor with greater accuracy.
More About Radiation Therapy
Radiation treatment first begins with a consultation with your Radiation Oncologist. Once deemed a candidate, you are provided with instructions on how to prepare for your radiation planning session. The radiation planning session, also known as a CT Simulation Scan, is designed to create a personalized map for your radiation therapy.
After your simulation, the radiation oncology team will use these images to design your specific treatment plan, which can take several days to complete before your actual treatments begin. You will be given a schedule of when to expect treatments. Oftentimes, a verification simulation will be performed before your first actual treatment begins. This functions as a rehearsal of the actual treatment to ensure safety, precision, and accuracy of our planned treatment.
Your actual treatment consists of a machine directing high-energy rays or particles at the cancer and a very small area of surrounding tissue. This is the most common form of radiation therapy for cancer. While you are presenting to our department for radiation treatment, your Radiation Oncologist will check in with you at regular intervals to assess any side effects that may emerge from treatment. Once treatment is over, you will be given a follow-up appointment.
Radiation is a painless, does not require anesthesia, and patients are able to continue their normal daily routines with minimal alterations. Many drive themselves to treatment or continue to work. As you recieve more radiation over a period of time, side effects may emerge which will be clearly communicated to you during your initial consultation, and at regular intervals while you are on treatment.
Radiation Therapy Schedule
External radiation therapy is typically given five days a week for one to eight weeks. The total radiation dose and number of treatments depend on several factors, including:
- The size and location of the cancer
- The type of tumor
- Your overall health
- Other treatments you may be receiving
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation therapy is designed to destroy cancer cells. It works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, including both cancerous and normal cells. Your care team carefully plans treatment to deliver the highest possible dose to the tumor while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue. Normal cells are better able to repair themselves than cancer cells, but because some healthy tissue is inevitably affected, side effects can occur. Your doctor and nurse will review potential side effects with you in advance.
What happens if I miss a treatment?
It is important to attend every scheduled radiation treatment. If you need to miss an appointment for any reason, please notify your radiation therapist as soon as possible. In some cases, your radiation oncologist may intentionally pause treatment to allow healthy tissue time to heal. If a treatment is missed, it is typically added to the end of your schedule, which may extend your overall treatment timeline.
What side effects will I have?
Side effects depend on the area of the body being treated. Most patients experience mild tiredness. Your primary nurse or physician can provide detailed information about the side effects specific to your treatment site.
Will I lose my hair?
Hair loss occurs only in the area receiving radiation, and may be temporary. Radiation therapy does not affect hair on your head unless the head is being treated. In most cases, hair loss is temporary. Your radiation oncologist or primary nurse can answer any additional questions you may have.
How do I arrange follow-up care?
Your radiation oncologist will guide your follow-up schedule after treatment is complete.
What is an on-treatment visit (OTV)?
Once a week, you will have a brief visit with your radiation oncologist and primary nurse. Even if you are feeling well, it is important to keep this appointment. These visits allow you and your care team to discuss concerns and monitor any treatment-related side effects.
