Radiation Oncology

If you have received a cancer diagnosis, radiation therapy may be part of your treatment plan. Radiation oncologists at Mayo Clinic Health System tailor treatment to your needs, with a focus on precision and safety.

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells by exposing them to intense energy. Using advanced technology, we deliver the radiation with pinpoint accuracy to treat cancer while minimizing damage to nearby tissue.

Our radiation oncologists are part of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Rochester, Minnesota. They collaborate with cancer specialists in Rochester and across Mayo Clinic Health System to deliver world-class care right in your community. We help thousands of people with cancer each year achieve excellent outcomes, and we can help you, too.

Find out more about our radiation oncology services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Treatments
• Radiation oncology specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Radiation oncology locations near you
• Radiation oncology providers near you

   

Conditions and consultations

Your cancer care team will review your case to determine the right treatment or combination of treatments. Radiation oncologists are part of this process. If radiation therapy is being considered for you, you will meet with a radiation oncologist for a consultation. Together, you will discuss the risks and benefits and decide whether to move forward with care.

We offer radiation therapy for a wide range of cancers at Mayo Clinic Health System locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. For cancers that are rare and highly complex, we provide seamless referral to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The main types of cancer we treat using radiation therapy include:

• Bone cancer
• Brain and spine tumors
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, colon, rectal and anal)
• Genitourinary cancer (bladder, kidney, prostate, penile and testicular)
• Gynecologic cancer (cervical, ovarian, endometrial, vaginal and vulvar)
• Head and neck cancer (nose, mouth, throat, voice box, paranasal sinuses and salivary glands)
• Hematologic (blood and immune system)
• Lung cancer
• Sarcoma (soft tissue)
• Skin cancer

In some cases, we also use radiation therapy to treat noncancerous (benign) conditions.

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Treatments

Mayo Clinic Health System offers many types of radiation therapy. Some types are available at Mayo Health Care System locations, while others are offered at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Rochester. Your care team will determine which treatment option is right for you.

Dedicated CT simulator

Using this technology, staff position patients on the CT scanner in the same position they'll be for treatment and perform a scan through the area being treated. Staff then reconstruct that scan three-dimensionally and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

IGRT uses advanced imaging to plan and deliver treatment to help direct radiation beams to cancerous tumors with precision and accuracy. Radiation oncologists take images before treatment starts and before each session to target the tumor, which optimizes daily treatment and minimizes radiation doses to normal tissue.

3D conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT)

3D CRT uses a computer-generated 3D picture of the tumor to match the radiation beam to the shape of the tumor. Multiple radiation beams are aimed at the tumor from different angles, sparing normal tissue as much as possible.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses a carefully customized approach that adapts to the shape of a tumor. With IMRT, not only are beams aimed at the tumor from multiple directions to match the tumor shape, the intensity or strength of each beam can be adjusted to minimize the amount of radiation that reaches healthy tissue.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

>SBRT uses precisely focused radiation beams to treat specific tumors and other abnormal growths in the spine, liver, lung or other sites. It sometimes is called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, or SABR. When used on the brain, it often is called stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS. Computers create 3D images to guide doctors in delivering radiation to the target area with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This type of treatment utilizes higher daily doses but a lower number of treatments, usually one to five sessions.

Proton therapy

Proton therapy uses energy from protons instead of X-rays, as in most radiation therapy types. In proton therapy, the highest concentration of energy is on the tumor, with less radiation reaching surrounding tissues.

Internal radiation therapy

Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive source placed inside your body. Because the source is close to the treatment area, there is less risk of damaging healthy tissues.

Radiation oncology clinical trials

Clinical trials provide treatments before they become widely available. We offer many cancer clinical trials as part of our comprehensive cancer care approach. Your care team will let you know if you are eligible to participate in a trial.

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Radiation oncology specialists

The technology used in radiation oncology requires extensive training and experience. All our radiation oncologists have specialized education in radiation treatment for cancer and certain noncancerous conditions. They lead skilled teams that carefully plan and carry out treatment.

Receiving radiation therapy can be challenging. Your team understands these challenges and works together to provide supportive and compassionate care.

Our specialists include:

• Radiation oncologists
• Medical physicists
• Radiation therapists
• Dosimetrists
• Advanced practice providers
• Registered nurses

You may also receive care from:

• Registered dietitians
• Social workers

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Referrals

A referral is required for radiation therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine if radiation therapy is right for you and to arrange a referral.

If you are a provider, you can refer a patient online, by phone or by fax.

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FAQ

How do physicians plan radiation therapy?

Planning is an essential part of treatment to ensure the right amount of radiation goes precisely where it is needed. Planning typically includes a simulation to walk through treatment. This process helps the team position you correctly on the same type of table that will be used. It may involve the use of cushions, a body mold or a mesh face mask. The team may also mark the area that will get radiation with a marker or small tattoos.

After they determine the correct position, they may take a planning CT scan or MRI. During this scan, you lie in the treatment position. Our radiation oncologists use the 3D image to map a custom radiation plan.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

When you meet with your radiation oncology team, they will review the side effects that may occur with your treatment. If you experience any side effects, your care team will help you manage them.

How do I know if treatment is working?

Your team will discuss the most appropriate ways to monitor the effectiveness of your treatment. Monitoring could include a combination of clinical exams, imaging tests or blood tests. The cancer sometimes responds to the treatment right away; other times, it may take weeks or months to see the treatment working.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Our Patient Account Services representatives can assist you with any issues related to billing and insurance. We also offer financial assistance if you are unable to pay for care due to financial hardship.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on radiation oncology:

Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.