What Is Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a common form of cancer treatment that uses radiation to destroy cancer cells to keep them from dividing and spreading throughout the body.  Radiation therapy may be used as your primary treatment or in combination with other therapies to shrink tumors or to help alleviate other cancer-related symptoms. Radiation may also affect normal cells surrounding your cancer cells. With careful treatment planning, radiation can be directed to the cancer while trying to spare most normal tissues near the cancer.

The advanced technology available through the Varian TrueBeam and Varian Edge safely delivers radiation at a faster dose rate than most conventional linear accelerators and minimizes the daily impact on the patient’s personal schedule. The radiation beam precisely targets cancerous cells while nearby healthy cells are minimally exposed.

For each patient, the type of radiation therapy prescribed will vary depending on these factors:

• The type of cancer diagnosed.
• Stage of cancer.
• The cancer’s location within the body.
• How close the cancer is to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation.
• How far into the body the radiation needs to travel.
• The patient’s general health and ability to tolerate treatment.
• Whether the patient will have other types of cancer treatment. 

Since each cancer type requires a different approach, your treatment plan will be based on your unique needs and treatment goals. Our multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, coupled with the use of new technologies and a strong focus on patient care, helps to provide better outcomes and experiences for our patients. 

Radiation Therapy at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

The Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center was the first freestanding cancer program in the nation accredited with multiple commendations by the American College of Surgeons. With the addition of our new radiation therapy center, we're able to offer high quality cancer treatment in a warmer, more comfortable environment.

At Kelsey-Seybold’s Radiation Therapy Center, our oncology multidisciplinary team includes specially trained board-certified radiation oncologists, medical physicists, an RN nurse navigator, and radiation therapists. Our team brings years of experience for patients experiencing an overwhelming moment in their lives – helping to reduce anxiety and sleepless nights. As part of the cancer treatment team at Kelsey-Seybold, patients have the full support of a dietitian, financial advisor and social worker. They will answer patients’ questions, provide resources and support services by offering guidance in all aspects of their cancer treatment.

Over the years the field of radiation oncology has evolved and focused on image-guided radiation therapy. Our Radiation Therapy Center offers Varian TrueBeam™ and the Varian Edge™ – faster, more precise radiation imaging and treatment systems for hard-to-reach tumors or cancer-affected areas. These new systems help with not only making treatments more precise and accurate, but also accelerating treatment by reducing the length of daily treatment. Both the TrueBeam and the Edge are used for common to complex cancer treatments. Our goal is to bring the most precise, advanced cancer care to our patients in a healing environment.

For more information about Radiation Therapy or to schedule an appointment, call 713-442-0725.

See also: TrueBeam Radiation Treatment for Cancer, Giving Patients the ‘Edge’ in Cancer Care