Being referred for radiation treatment is an unfamiliar experience to most cancer patients. On these pages, we will explain radiation oncology to you and answer questions that most often exist for our patients. And we will also explain why you should feel remarkably confident in coming to URMC, the region’s leader in radiation oncology.
What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation oncology is one of the three major cancer specialties in oncologic medicine. It uses energy from radiation beams, radio isotopes, or charged particles to target tumors and to eradicate cancer cells.
Radiation beams are usually generated in treatment machines, such as linear accelerators or high-energy CT scanners. Another type of radiation treatment uses radioisotopes, or radioactive materials. These are utilized in radiation implants and radioisotope-labeled molecules in the treatment of various cancers.
In addition to getting rid of cancer, radiation treatment is highly effective in reducing symptoms such as cancer-related pain. Radiation has also been used in the treatment of many benign (non-cancerous) conditions in both adults and children.
What Makes URMC Different?
At the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, the Department of Radiation Oncology is an essential part of multidisciplinary care. In other words, a team of experts from surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and many other disciplines will come together to evaluate and manage your cancer treatment. This is a unique approach to care and is considered the ideal model of cancer care.
The Department of Radiation Oncology provides state-of-the-art treatment technology to increase the curability of cancer while reducing side effects. Our comprehensive cancer care team includes physician radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, nurses, social workers, and nutritionists.
What Should I Expect as a Patient?
Your treatment will involve a team of healthcare providers from the Department of Radiation Oncology. Typically, a radiation oncologist will direct the radiation treatment process and plans. Your team will also include a secretary, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, a resident physician in training, radiation therapists who operate the treatment machines, and a radiation dosimetrist or physicist specializing in radiation treatment physical plans.
The department also offers assistance from social workers and nutritionists. Support groups for cancer patients are also available. These include disease-specific groups, age-specific groups, and many others.
A typical radiation treatment process begins with an initial consultation with your radiation oncologist. The treatment recommendation, indication, rationale, benefits, side effects, and potential risks will be explained to you. This is followed by a radiation simulation session, which takes approximately one hour. This simulation process ensures the accuracy of your treatment plan.
Your actual treatment will begin 7-14 days later. However, patients with cancer-related emergencies can begin their treatments sooner. Daily treatment visits may take 15 -30 minutes and generally last 1 to 8 weeks, depending on the diagnosis and the treatment plan. The stereotactic brain radiosurgery is generally completed in one session. The stereotactic body radiosurgery is generally completed in less than 10 sessions.
Your radiation oncologist, therapists, and the team nurse will be there for you every step of the way. They will help you assess treatment-related side effects, your progress, and tolerance.
What Technology do you Offer?
We offer state-of-the-art equipment for external beam radiation at all four of our treatment sites: Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH), Highland Hospital (HH), Cancer Center at Park Ridge (PR), and Sands Cancer Center.
- CT simulators (SMH, PR)
- Megavoltage CT (SMH)
- Cone-beam CT units (SMH)
- Linear accelerators with IMRT and IGRT capabilities (SMH, HH, PR, Sands)
- Novalis Radiosurgery (SMH)
- TomoTherapy (SMH)
- Brachytherapy (SMH, HH, PR)
- Prostate seed implants (SMH, HH, PR)
- GYN implants for gynecologic cancer (HH)
- Nucletron High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HH)
- Liver radiation using Theraspheres (SMH)
- I-131 treatment for thyroid cancer (HH, PR)
- Radioactive mesh tumor bed boost for lung cancer (SMH)
- Total Body Irradiation (SMH)
- Accelerated partial breast radiotherapy using MammoSite or external beam (SMH, HH, PR, Sands)
How can I Learn More About my Disease or Condition?
Your cancer treatment team in the Department of Radiation Oncology will be your very best resource for learning more.
A radiation oncologist will evaluate your treatment process during your treatment course at a one-on-one session with you at least once a week. The nurse, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, and resident physician on your team will also be valuable resources regarding education about your disease or condition.
In addition, the Wilmot Cancer Center has a patient and family resource center for those seeking additional information about specific cancers as well as information concerning radiation therapy. The center is located on the 1st floor of the Cancer Center.
If you are a patient and you need to speak to us right away, please call our Clinic Coordinator at (585) 275-4958.
Make an Appointment
If you would like to make an appointment or consult our physicians for a second opinion, please contact us at one of the following locations:
- Wilmot Cancer Center
- Highland Hospital
- Cancer Center at Park Ridge
- Sands Cancer Center