The Department of
Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals blends the two most
important considerations for cancer patients – the latest treatment
methods and highly skilled, person-centered care.
Radiation
oncology is a key approach used to cure or control malignancies or to
alleviate symptoms related to cancer. Radiation can kill cancer cells
and decrease the size of tumors. It can be used alone or with surgery
and chemotherapy. Today’s radiation therapy delivers higher total
radiation doses to cancer with lower doses to the normal tissues.
At
the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals, the
multidisciplinary team guiding the patient’s treatment may recommend
radiation therapy. Because different techniques are used for different
tumors, the team determines what method is most appropriate, and the
patient’s medical oncologist or surgeon makes the referral.
Radiation
therapy is a powerful tool that requires exact planning and preparation
before being administered to patients. The entire complex treatment
planning and delivery process of radiation therapy is automated using
precise computerized calculations determined by the unique
circumstances of each patient at the Ireland Cancer Center on the
University Hospitals campus and at its community-based centers
New methods are expanding radiation oncology and leading to better results. In the
Patient Care Treatment Options
section, you can learn about recent breakthroughs and current
state-of-the-art treatments. Examples include how computer technology
has improved treatment planning and delivery, treatments targeting
cancer tissue while sparing nearby healthy tissue, and treatments
combining radiation oncology with drug therapy or surgery.
And
remember, technology is only one part of the story. The other is the
Ireland Cancer Center’s person-centered care that ensures an
individualized treatment plan for every patient. In addition every
patient has an integrated care team of specialists from all aspects of
radiation oncology – doctors, nurses, social workers and dietitian.
Support staff members are always nearby to explain the treatments and
answer patients’ questions.
This site explains each of the
staff specialty areas
within the Department of Radiation Oncology from which treatment teams
are developed. Another important consideration is that many
Ireland Cancer Center Community-based Centers
offer radiation oncology treatments close to home in northeast Ohio. To
complement personalized patient education provided by Ireland Cancer
Center staff and to make information about radiation oncology readily
accessible to patients and families, we also include links to
other resources, including
the National Cancer Institute.
Person-centered
treatment characterizes radiation oncology at the Ireland Cancer
Center, where the staff is expert in the use of this powerful form of
cancer therapy, and their skill is matched by their dedication to
patient care