Radiation Oncology at Cleveland Clinic

Radiation Oncology provides specialized cancer treatment using high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissues whenever possible. Radiation oncologists develop individualized treatment plans based on the cancer type, location, stage, tumor characteristics and previous treatments. Radiation therapy may be used as the primary treatment or combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other cancer treatments.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of radiation oncology depends on the cancer type and location, radiation oncology consultation, imaging, treatment planning, radiation technique, number of treatment sessions, equipment, medications and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation Oncology is a specialized field of cancer care that uses radiation therapy to treat malignant and selected benign tumors.

Radiation therapy may be used to:

• Destroy cancer cells

• Shrink tumors

• Reduce the risk of cancer recurrence

• Control cancer growth

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

Radiation Oncology Consultation

A radiation oncology consultation may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Cancer history

• Physical examination

• Review of pathology

• Review of imaging

• Cancer staging

• Previous treatment assessment

• Radiation treatment planning discussion

Radiation Treatment Planning

Radiation treatment is carefully planned according to:

• Tumor location

• Tumor size

• Cancer stage

• Nearby organs

• Previous radiation treatment

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body toward the tumor.

It may be used for many different types of cancer.

Treatment planning is designed to deliver the appropriate radiation dose while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) uses computer-controlled radiation beams with varying intensities.

It may help shape the radiation dose around tumors while reducing radiation exposure to selected nearby tissues.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) uses imaging during treatment to help accurately position the patient and target the treatment area.

It may be useful when tumors are near sensitive organs or when precise positioning is important.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic radiation techniques deliver highly focused radiation to selected tumors.

Depending on the treatment location, approaches may include:

• Stereotactic radiosurgery

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy

The appropriate technique depends on the tumor and treatment goals.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Despite its name, stereotactic radiosurgery is generally a non-invasive radiation treatment rather than conventional surgery.

It may be used for selected tumors involving:

• Brain

• Head

• Other appropriate locations

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to selected tumors outside the brain.

It may be considered for certain cancers involving:

• Lung

• Liver

• Spine

• Other selected areas

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy places radioactive material inside or near the tumor.

It may be used for selected cancers depending on:

• Tumor location

• Cancer type

• Treatment goals

• Previous treatment

Radiation Therapy Before Surgery

Radiation may sometimes be administered before surgery.

Potential goals may include:

• Shrinking the tumor

• Reducing local disease

• Improving surgical treatment options

Radiation Therapy After Surgery

Radiation may be recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning in the treated area.

The decision depends on the cancer type and individual risk factors.

Radiation With Chemotherapy

Some cancers may be treated with radiation and chemotherapy together.

This combined approach may help increase treatment effectiveness in selected cancers.

Radiation With Immunotherapy

In selected cancer situations, radiation may be incorporated into treatment plans that also include immunotherapy.

Treatment decisions depend on the specific diagnosis and clinical circumstances.

Radiation for Advanced Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used to control selected tumors or cancer-related symptoms in patients with advanced disease.

It may help manage:

• Pain

• Bleeding

• Tumor-related pressure

• Other localized cancer symptoms

Radiation for Bone Metastases

Cancer that has spread to the bones may cause pain or other complications.

Radiation therapy can be used in selected cases to help:

• Reduce pain

• Control tumor growth

• Improve local symptoms

Radiation for Brain Tumors

Selected brain tumors may be treated with radiation therapy.

Treatment may involve:

• Conventional radiation

• Stereotactic radiation

• Other specialized radiation techniques

The appropriate approach depends on tumor type, size, location and previous treatment.

Radiation for Lung Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used for selected lung cancers.

Treatment may involve:

• Conventional external beam radiation

• IMRT

• Image-guided treatment

• SBRT

• Combined treatment approaches

Radiation for Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy is an important treatment option for selected prostate cancers.

Treatment may involve:

• External beam radiation

• Image-guided radiation

• Other specialized techniques

• Brachytherapy in appropriate cases

Radiation for Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy may be recommended for selected breast cancer patients following breast-conserving surgery or in other appropriate circumstances.

Treatment is designed to target areas at risk while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding tissues.

Radiation for Gastrointestinal Cancers

Radiation therapy may be used for selected cancers affecting the:

• Rectum

• Esophagus

• Stomach

• Liver

• Pancreas

• Other gastrointestinal structures

Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used to treat selected cancers involving the:

• Mouth

• Throat

• Larynx

• Neck

• Other head and neck structures

Treatment planning may focus on protecting important nearby organs and tissues.

Radiation Treatment Sessions

The number of radiation sessions varies according to:

• Cancer type

• Treatment technique

• Radiation dose

• Treatment goals

• Patient-specific factors

Some treatments require multiple sessions, while selected highly focused techniques may require fewer treatments.

Radiation Treatment Side Effects

Possible side effects depend on the treatment area, radiation dose and individual patient.

Potential effects may include:

• Fatigue

• Skin changes

• Local irritation

• Changes in appetite

• Treatment-area symptoms

• Other location-specific effects

Radiation Side-Effect Management

The radiation oncology team monitors patients during treatment and may provide supportive measures to help manage treatment-related effects.

Radiation Treatment Monitoring

Patients may receive regular assessments during radiation therapy.

Monitoring may include:

• Physical examination

• Treatment response assessment

• Side-effect evaluation

• Imaging when appropriate

• Treatment plan adjustments when clinically necessary

Follow-Up After Radiation Therapy

After treatment, follow-up may include:

• Physical examinations

• Imaging

• Laboratory testing when appropriate

• Monitoring for recurrence

• Assessment of treatment effects

Radiation Oncology Second Opinion

Patients who have received a recommendation for radiation therapy may seek a radiation oncology second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• Pathology reports

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Previous radiation plans

• Cancer staging

• Proposed treatment approach

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy reports

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Previous radiation treatment records

• Previous chemotherapy records

• Surgical reports

• Laboratory results

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Radiation Oncology

Specialized radiation oncology may help:

• Treat localized cancers

• Shrink tumors

• Reduce the risk of recurrence

• Provide highly focused radiation treatment

• Treat selected metastatic tumors

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

• Coordinate radiation with surgery

• Coordinate radiation with systemic therapy

• Provide individualized treatment planning

• Provide radiation oncology second opinions

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Radiation Oncology?

Cleveland Clinic provides multidisciplinary cancer care involving radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, physicists, radiation therapists and other cancer-care professionals.

Treatment planning can integrate advanced imaging, cancer pathology, staging information and other clinical factors to develop an individualized radiation treatment approach.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of radiation oncology depends on the cancer diagnosis, treatment technique and number of radiation sessions required.

Potential costs may include:

• Radiation oncology consultation

• Imaging

• Treatment planning

• Radiation therapy

• Radiation treatment sessions

• Specialized radiation techniques

• Medications

• Side-effect management

• Follow-up imaging

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does radiation oncology treat?

Radiation oncology treats many types of cancer using high-energy radiation, either as the primary treatment or together with surgery, chemotherapy or other cancer therapies.

2. Is radiation therapy painful?

The radiation treatment itself is generally not felt, although some patients may develop side effects related to the treated area during or after a course of treatment.

3. How many radiation sessions are needed?

The number of sessions varies depending on the cancer type, location, treatment technique, dose and individual treatment plan.

4. Can radiation therapy be combined with chemotherapy?

Yes. Some cancers are treated with radiation and chemotherapy together, depending on the diagnosis and treatment strategy.

5. How much does radiation oncology treatment cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on consultation, treatment planning, radiation technique, number of sessions and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Radiation Oncology

Hospital: Cleveland Clinic

Brand: Cleveland Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Radiation Oncology

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA