Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic

Radiation Oncology provides specialized cancer treatment using carefully planned radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells while helping protect surrounding healthy tissues. Treatment may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other cancer therapies.

 Price 

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of radiation oncology varies according to the type and location of cancer, treatment technique, number of treatment sessions, imaging requirements, treatment planning and the patient's individual medical condition. A personalized cost estimate is therefore required.

Complete Description

Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic

Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic – Rochester provides specialized radiation-based cancer treatment for selected patients with localized, recurrent or advanced cancers.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells and prevent them from continuing to grow and divide.

Treatment is carefully planned according to the patient's cancer type, tumor location, size, stage and overall health. Advanced imaging and treatment-planning technologies may be used to accurately direct radiation toward the treatment area.

Radiation therapy may be used as the primary cancer treatment, before surgery, after surgery or together with other cancer treatments.

What Is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty focused on using radiation therapy to treat cancer.

A radiation oncologist evaluates the patient's diagnosis and determines whether radiation therapy may be appropriate.

Radiation treatment may be used to:

• Treat certain cancers

• Reduce the size of a tumor

• Destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery

• Control cancer that cannot be completely removed surgically

• Treat selected recurrent cancers

• Relieve symptoms caused by certain advanced cancers

How Radiation Therapy Works

Radiation therapy uses controlled doses of high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells.

Cancer cells may have difficulty repairing this damage, which can prevent them from growing or dividing.

The treatment is carefully planned to deliver radiation to the intended area while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues.

Types of Radiation Therapy

Depending on the patient's cancer, radiation treatment may include:

• External beam radiation therapy

• Stereotactic radiation therapy

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

• Brachytherapy

• Other specialized radiation techniques

The appropriate technique depends on the cancer and treatment objectives.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

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

The radiation is directed toward the tumor or treatment area according to a customized treatment plan.

It may be used for many different types of cancer.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT is an advanced form of external radiation therapy that allows radiation intensity to be adjusted within the treatment field.

This technique may help deliver radiation more precisely to the target while reducing radiation exposure to selected nearby healthy tissues.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

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

It can help account for changes in tumor position or patient anatomy during treatment.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to selected tumors, often using fewer treatment sessions than conventional radiation therapy.

It may be considered for certain tumors depending on their:

• Location

• Size

• Number

• Movement

• Relationship to nearby organs

Not every patient is a candidate for SBRT.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Despite its name, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) generally does not involve an incision.

It delivers highly focused radiation to selected abnormalities, particularly certain conditions involving the brain or other areas where precise radiation treatment is appropriate.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy in which a radioactive source is placed inside or near the area being treated.

Depending on the cancer, brachytherapy may be used for selected:

• Prostate cancers

• Gynecologic cancers

• Breast cancers

• Other specific tumors

The technique depends on the patient's diagnosis.

Radiation Therapy Planning

Before radiation treatment begins, the radiation oncology team develops an individualized treatment plan.

Planning may involve:

• Medical history review

• Physical examination

• CT simulation

• MRI or PET imaging when appropriate

• Tumor localization

• Treatment-area mapping

• Radiation dose calculation

• Treatment-field design

The goal is to deliver the prescribed radiation dose accurately to the intended treatment area.

CT Simulation

A CT simulation may be performed before radiation treatment.

During simulation, the patient's treatment position is carefully established and imaging is obtained to help define the treatment area.

The resulting images can be used to create a customized radiation treatment plan.

Radiation Treatment Sessions

The number of radiation sessions varies according to the cancer and treatment technique.

Some patients may receive:

• A single treatment

• A small number of highly focused treatments

• Several treatment sessions

• A longer course of conventional radiation therapy

The radiation oncologist determines the appropriate schedule.

Radiation Oncology for Different Types of Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used to treat selected cases of:

• Breast cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Lung cancer

• Brain tumors

• Head and neck cancers

• Colorectal cancer

• Gynecologic cancers

• Skin cancers

• Bone cancers

• Soft-tissue tumors

• Lymphomas

• Other selected cancers

Treatment depends on the type, stage and location of the cancer.

Radiation Before Surgery

Radiation therapy may sometimes be given before surgery.

This is known as neoadjuvant radiation treatment.

In selected cancers, preoperative radiation may help reduce or control the tumor before surgical treatment.

Radiation After Surgery

Radiation therapy may also be recommended after surgery.

Postoperative radiation may be used in selected situations to treat cancer cells that may remain in the treatment area.

Whether radiation is needed depends on the cancer type, surgical findings and other clinical factors.

Radiation Combined With Chemotherapy

Some cancers are treated using chemoradiation, which combines radiation therapy with chemotherapy.

The combination may be recommended because certain medications can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation.

The treatment schedule depends on the patient's cancer and overall health.

Radiation for Advanced Cancer

Radiation therapy may also be used for selected patients with advanced cancer.

In these situations, radiation may help:

• Reduce tumor-related symptoms

• Relieve certain types of pain

• Control bleeding

• Reduce pressure caused by a tumor

• Improve local control of cancer

Treatment goals are individualized according to the patient's condition.

Potential Side Effects

Radiation therapy can cause side effects, and these vary depending on the treatment area, radiation dose and individual patient.

Possible effects may include:

• Fatigue

• Skin irritation

• Redness

• Swelling

• Changes in appetite

• Nausea

• Hair loss in the treated area

• Changes in bowel or bladder function

• Other location-specific effects

The radiation oncology team monitors patients and provides appropriate supportive care.

Radiation Safety

Radiation treatment is carefully planned and delivered using specialized equipment and safety procedures.

The treatment team uses detailed calculations and quality-control processes to ensure that the prescribed radiation is delivered accurately.

For certain internal radiation treatments, additional safety instructions may be provided.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Care

Radiation oncology often works together with other cancer specialists.

The multidisciplinary team may include:

• Radiation oncologists

• Medical oncologists

• Surgical oncologists

• Medical physicists

• Radiation therapists

• Dosimetrists

• Radiologists

• Pathologists

• Oncology nurses

• Other healthcare professionals

This coordinated approach supports individualized cancer treatment planning.

International Patients

International patients seeking radiation oncology treatment may need to provide comprehensive medical records before evaluation.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Previous radiation records

• Surgical reports

• Chemotherapy records

• Laboratory results

• Current medication list

Previous radiation treatment details are particularly important when evaluating patients who have received radiation therapy before.

Benefits of Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy may provide:

• Localized cancer treatment

• Precise targeting of selected tumors

• Treatment before or after surgery

• Combination treatment with chemotherapy

• Treatment of selected recurrent cancers

• Symptom relief in certain advanced cancers

• Treatment options for patients who may not be candidates for some surgical procedures

The expected benefits vary according to the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Radiation Oncology?

Mayo Clinic provides multidisciplinary cancer care involving radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, imaging specialists, medical physicists, radiation therapists and other cancer-care professionals.

This coordinated approach allows radiation treatment to be planned according to the patient's specific cancer characteristics and overall treatment strategy.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Radiation oncology does not have one fixed price because treatment requirements vary considerably.

The total cost may depend on:

• Radiation oncology consultation

• Diagnostic imaging

• CT simulation

• Treatment planning

• Radiation technique

• Number of treatment sessions

• Medical physics services

• Radiation therapy delivery

• Laboratory testing

• Supportive medications

• Follow-up consultations

• Other medically necessary services

A personalized treatment estimate should therefore be requested according to the patient's diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is radiation oncology?

Radiation oncology is a cancer specialty that uses radiation therapy to treat selected cancers and, in some situations, control symptoms caused by cancer.

2. Is radiation therapy painful?

The radiation treatment itself is generally not felt while it is being delivered. However, some patients may develop side effects during or after a course of treatment depending on the treatment area and radiation dose.

3. How many radiation treatments are required?

The number of treatments varies. Some highly focused treatments may require only a few sessions, while conventional radiation treatment may involve a longer course.

4. Can radiation therapy be combined with chemotherapy?

Yes. Some cancers are treated with chemoradiation, combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy when clinically appropriate.

**5. How much does radiation therapy cost?

Price is available on request. The total cost depends on the radiation technique, number of treatment sessions, treatment planning, imaging and other required medical services.

Product Details

Product Name: Radiation Oncology

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Radiation Oncology

Dashboard Price: 0

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA