Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital

Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized cancer treatment using high-precision radiation therapy to target cancer cells while helping protect surrounding healthy tissues. Radiation may be used as a primary treatment or combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other cancer therapies.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

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

Complete Description

What Is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation Oncology is a specialized field of cancer care that uses radiation to destroy or control cancer cells.

Radiation therapy may be used to:

• Treat cancer

• Shrink tumors

• Prevent cancer recurrence

• Control advanced cancer

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

Who May Need Radiation Oncology?

Radiation therapy may be considered for selected patients with:

• Localized cancer

• Locally advanced cancer

• Recurrent cancer

• Certain metastatic cancers

• Tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically

• Cancer requiring symptom relief

Radiation Oncology Consultation

The radiation oncologist may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology

• Imaging

• Cancer stage

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

Radiation Treatment Planning

Before treatment begins, specialists carefully plan:

• Radiation dose

• Treatment area

• Number of sessions

• Patient positioning

• Protection of nearby healthy tissues

Advanced imaging may be used to guide treatment planning.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation delivers radiation from a specialized machine directed toward the tumor.

Treatment may be delivered over multiple sessions depending on the cancer and treatment plan.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT uses advanced planning techniques to shape radiation doses around the tumor while helping reduce exposure to nearby healthy tissues.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

IGRT uses imaging during treatment to help accurately position the patient and treatment area.

It may be useful when tumors move or are located close to sensitive structures.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

Selected patients may receive highly focused radiation in a limited number of treatment sessions.

Stereotactic techniques may be considered for certain tumors depending on their:

• Size

• Location

• Number

• Clinical characteristics

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Despite the term "surgery," stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical radiation treatment that delivers highly focused radiation to selected tumors or abnormal areas.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy places a radiation source inside or close to the treatment area.

It may be appropriate for selected cancer types.

Radiation Combined With Surgery

Radiation therapy may be used:

• Before surgery

• After surgery

• Around the time of surgery

The sequence depends on the cancer type and treatment strategy.

Radiation Combined With Chemotherapy

Some patients receive chemotherapy together with radiation to improve cancer treatment effectiveness.

This approach is used for selected cancers.

Radiation for Advanced Cancer

Radiation may also be used to control symptoms caused by advanced cancer, including selected cases involving:

• Bone metastases

• Brain metastases

• Painful tumors

• Other symptomatic tumors

Advanced Radiation Technology

Radiation oncology may use advanced technologies designed to improve treatment precision and delivery.

Treatment selection depends on:

• Tumor characteristics

• Location

• Cancer stage

• Patient anatomy

• Previous radiation

Radiation Treatment Monitoring

During treatment, the radiation oncology team may monitor:

• Treatment response

• Side effects

• General health

• Treatment tolerance

• Imaging findings when appropriate

Potential Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Side effects vary according to the treatment area and dose.

Possible effects may include:

• Fatigue

• Skin changes

• Local irritation

• Swelling

• Treatment-specific organ effects

The radiation oncology team provides guidance for managing side effects.

Follow-Up After Radiation Therapy

Follow-up may include:

• Clinical examinations

• Imaging

• Laboratory testing when appropriate

• Monitoring for recurrence

• Management of late treatment effects

Radiation Oncology Second Opinion

Patients may seek a radiation oncology second opinion regarding:

• Recommended radiation treatment

• Treatment technique

• Radiation dose

• Number of sessions

• Combination with other cancer treatments

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• CT/MRI/PET scans

• Previous radiation records

• Chemotherapy records

• Surgical reports

• Laboratory results

• Medication list

Benefits of Specialized Radiation Oncology

Specialized radiation care may help:

• Precisely target tumors

• Treat localized cancer

• Reduce tumor size

• Control recurrent disease

• Manage selected metastatic tumors

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

• Coordinate radiation with surgery and systemic therapy

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Radiation Oncology?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized radiation oncology through Mass General Cancer Center, with access to advanced radiation technologies and multidisciplinary cancer care.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Radiation oncology consultation

• Imaging

• Radiation treatment planning

• Treatment sessions

• Specialized radiation technology

• Laboratory testing

• Follow-up care

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does radiation oncology treat?

Radiation oncology uses radiation therapy to treat, control or relieve symptoms from selected cancers.

2. Is radiation therapy painful?

The radiation delivery itself is generally not felt, although some patients may develop side effects depending on the treatment area.

3. How many radiation sessions are needed?

The number varies depending on the cancer type, location, treatment goal and radiation technique.

4. Can radiation be combined with chemotherapy or surgery?

Yes. Radiation may be combined with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other cancer treatments when clinically appropriate.

5. How much does radiation oncology treatment cost?

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

Product Details

Product Name: Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Radiation Oncology

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA