Radiation therapy

Types of radiation treatment

Your care team will work to provide the best possible care during your cancer journey. If your oncologist recommends radiation therapy as part of your treatment, it may be:

• Before surgery, to shrink a cancerous tumor (neoadjuvant therapy)
• During surgery, to direct large doses of radiation directly at a tumor
• After surgery, to stop the growth of any remaining cancer cells (adjuvant therapy)
• In combination with chemotherapy or other treatments
• Prescribed to decrease pressure or discomfort from a tumor (palliative care)

External radiation

Our external radiation treatment comes from a machine outside your body. A device, such as a linear accelerator, can deliver external beam radiation to the targeted area of your body. We offer many kinds of therapy, including:

• Cranial stereotactic surgery — Used by neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists to treat benign and malignant brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), it is also useful in controlling face pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) — Treatment using the linear accelerator to deliver radiation to the tumor, minimizing dosage to surrounding tissue
• Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy — Treatment that shapes the radiation beams to match the shape of the tumor without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue

Internal radiation

We pride ourselves on offering you a variety of radiation technologies, including high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

HDR treatment does not pass through healthy tissues or organs. HDR brachytherapy may be useful in treating:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Uterine (endometrial) cancer

PRRT is a treatment for adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) who test positive for somatostatin receptors. GEP-NETs are tumors of the neuroendocrine cells in the stomach, gut or pancreas that make hormones, and may cause symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea.

How does radiation therapy work

There are several steps involved in planning your radiation therapy. The steps may include:

• Simulation — The purpose of the simulation is to identify the treatment area. A dedicated computerized tomography (CT) simulation machine mimics a linear accelerator and produces diagnostic quality X-rays to verify the position of the anatomy being treated.
• Post-simulation — Once the simulation is completed, your skin may be marked with small dots of permanent ink ("tattoos"). These dots outline the area of radiation and ensure the therapists can accurately treat you each day. If needed, custom immobilization devices will be made for you at the simulation time to help keep the precise position daily. Once the simulation is completed, a unique treatment plan is created using the information gathered.
• Trial run — The next phase is a trial run that uses the actual treatment machine. Special X-rays, called electronic portal images or port films, will be taken to show the X-ray beam path(s). These will be compared to the plans done by the treatment planning team. If your doctor agrees that this is the ideal plan, you are ready to begin treatment.

Daily treatments

We aim to make you as comfortable as possible during your radiation treatments. Your experienced radiation oncologist will determine the number of treatments you will need. You will be treated on consecutive weekdays, and you may be treated twice a day, depending on the type of cancer.

In most cases, you will need to change into a gown for treatment. You will be escorted into the treatment room by a certified radiation therapist. Treatment times vary, ranging from a few minutes to 30 minutes based on your plan. You will be in communication with your radiation therapist via an intercom system and monitored at all times.

Once the treatment session is completed, your radiation therapist will help you off the table. You can get dressed and resume your normal schedule. You are not radioactive and do not need to avoid other people because of your treatment.

On-treatment visits

An on-treatment visit (OTV) will likely occur on a specific day of the week. During this visit, your radiation oncologist and nurse evaluate you during the treatment. They will monitor your progress and help you manage any side effects. You will receive and follow-up instruction at the end of your course of radiation therapy.

Our radiation therapy centers

Our radiation therapy services take place at our main hospital facility, as well as at several other locations:

Centerpoint Medical Center
3889 South Jackson Drive
Independence, MO 64057

Menorah Medical Center
5721 W 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66209

Research Medical Center
2316 E Meyer Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64132

About HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Cancer Network

Fighting cancer takes a team

HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Cancer Network delivers you exceptional cancer care through cutting-edge, specialized treatments, multidisciplinary collaboration and care that is tailored to you. Our teams of passionate caregivers and global oncology experts across the United States and United Kingdom offer services and expertise that extend across many types of cancer. Together with the full support of HCA Healthcare – a leading provider of cancer care and research – we’re with you and your family from diagnosis through survivorship.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (816) 448-7737.