Radiation Therapy

Overview

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses carefully targeted doses of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Doctors use radiation therapy to treat just about every type of cancer. Radiation therapy is also useful in treating some noncancerous (benign) tumors.

A radiation oncologist is a doctor who has advanced training in treating cancer patients with radiation (radiation oncology). Radiation oncologists at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona treat malignant diseases and provide expert care to thousands of patients annually. Radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and other doctors to coordinate the best care for you.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience and advanced technology. Mayo Clinic's radiation therapy combines the quality and capability of state-of-the-art equipment with the expertise and compassion of the medical staff. Each doctor or radiation oncologist has specialized training in managing cancer patients who need radiation treatment. The doctors further specialize by concentrating their individual practices on treating different types of cancers, including complex and rare cancers.
• Treatment tailored to your needs. Mayo Clinic's radiation oncology program tailors treatment to your needs. After the radiation oncologist identifies the areas to be treated, radiation is directed to the cancerous tumors to minimize the dose of radiation to normal tissues.
• Accreditation. Mayo's radiation oncology services are accredited by the American College of Radiology. This certifies Mayo Clinic's expertise, experience and commitment to quality.
• Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mayo Clinic's radiation therapy services are part of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center with multiple sites. The radiation oncology specialty is closely tied to the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, which offers outstanding programs in cancer diagnosis, prevention, treatment, research and community outreach.

Read more about radiation therapy on MayoClinic.com.