Experts in radiation oncology at Mayo Clinic treat more than 7,000 people who have a wide variety of cancers each year. Radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and other doctors to coordinate the most appropriate care for you.
Radiation therapy uses carefully targeted and regulated doses of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation causes some cancer cells to die immediately after treatment, but most die or become incapacitated as a result of the radiation-induced damage to the cancer cell's chromosomes and DNA.
- Experience and advanced technology. Mayo Clinic's radiation therapy services combine the quality and capability of state-of-the-art equipment with the expertise and compassion of the medical staff.
- Specialized skills. Each radiation oncologist has specialized training in performing radiation treatment for people with cancer and those with certain noncancerous (benign) conditions. The doctors further specialize by concentrating their individual practices on treating different types of cancers, including complex and rare cancers. This specialized expertise ensures precision treatment and improved outcomes.
- Treatment tailored to your needs. Mayo Clinic's radiation oncology professionals tailor 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.
- Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence, a strong research program and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
- Innovative clinical research studies. Clinical research studies designed by Mayo Clinic researchers and others are available to eligible people with cancer. Clinical studies provide the opportunity to participate in the newest and most innovative investigative programs that may offer the greatest hope for the most difficult cancer problems.
Radiation oncology services are provided to children at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona.
Many Mayo Clinic Health System facilities also provide radiation oncology services. Staff at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota care for people at several regional clinics and hospitals each day.
Mayo Clinic Health System clinics, hospitals and health care facilities serve more than 60 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. These sites provide radiation oncology care to their local communities.
Specialty groups
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic offers special disease and condition-related groups, which bring together the expertise of many specialists to evaluate and treat people with cancer and to conduct research. Teams of specialists are organized based on the location of the cancer.
Board-certified radiation oncologists are members of each disease site team:
- Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- Breast
- Central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, neurological)
- Endocrine (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pituitary)
- Gastrointestinal (anus, colon, rectum, esophagus, hepatobiliary, pancreas, stomach)
- Genitourinary (bladder, kidney, prostate, penis, testis, ureter)
- Gynecologic (cervix, ovary, uterus, vagina, vulva)
- Head and neck (nasopharynx, nasal cavity and sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, salivary gland)
- Lung
- Lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma
- Melanoma
- Other skin cancers (squamous cell, basal cell, Merkel cell)
- Ophthalmology (orbital tumors, ocular melanoma)
- Pediatric cancers
- Sarcoma (bone, soft tissue, abdominal)
Each disease site team is independent, but all teams work together to develop diagnostic and treatment procedures, and guidelines for patient evaluation and care.
Mayo Clinic radiation oncologists have experience treating people with many types of cancer.
Radiation oncologists work with a team of doctors trained in many areas to determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.
Mayo Clinic offers several types of radiation therapy, including but not limited to those listed below. Not all services may be available at all locations. Please confirm when you call to request an appointment.
Mayo Clinic radiation oncologists have experience treating all types of cancer using a variety of forms of radiation.
Many people come to Mayo Clinic when their condition is complex or extremely unusual. You may come to Mayo Clinic on your own or with a referral from your doctor.
Radiation oncologists work with a team of doctors and subspecialists in other areas to determine the most appropriate treatment option for your individual needs.
Mayo Clinic provides management and services for many types of cancer, including but not limited to those listed below. Availability of the services may vary between each Mayo location. Please confirm when you call to request an appointment.
Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.
Find doctors and medical staff:
Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2023–2024 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
Mayo Clinic is recognized for high-quality cancer care and research by a variety of national organizations.
- Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
- Collaborative research. Mayo Clinic is part of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and NRG Oncology, which are international groups of scientists who work together to conduct clinical trials and reduce the impact of cancer.
- Pediatric excellence. Mayo Clinic participates in the Children's Oncology Group, made up of leading cancer experts from around the world. This partnership allows it to offer innovative treatments, including proton beam therapy, to children with cancer.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic's quality rankings.
Mayo Clinic radiation oncologists are actively engaged in cancer research in laboratory and clinical research programs. Mayo Clinic researchers continually study new diagnosis and treatment options for people with cancer and conduct clinical trials.
Mayo Clinic doctors and scientists participate in cooperative research groups, including Children's Oncology Group, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and NRG Oncology Group.
Publications
See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic physicians on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Read more about laboratories and programs:
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center - Research
Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients.
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.