Cancer Treatment Options – Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of various forms of radiation to safely and effectively treat cancer and other diseases.  Radiation therapy works by damaging cancerous cells. Normal cells are able to repair themselves, whereas cancer cells cannot.  Sometimes radiation therapy is the only treatment a patient needs.  While at other times, it is only one segment of a cancer patient’s treatment program.   Radiation therapy includes treatments such as brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and external beam therapy (EBT).

Many different forms of cancer can be treated with radiation therapy.  Radiotherapy is commonly used to shrink tumors or damage cancerous tissues.  It is also used to treat cancer symptoms, treat inoperable cancers, and in the pursuit to cure cancer.  In 2002, the Shaw Cancer Center established the Sonnenalp Breast Imaging Center to provide specialized radiation therapy treatment to breast cancer patients.  Our Breast Imaging Center uses the most advanced technology for breast imaging, and has a team of radiology professionals that specialize in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Patricia Hardenbergh leads the radiation oncology team at the Shaw Cancer Center. Even though the Shaw Cancer Care Center is located in a small Rocky Mountain community, we provide the most advanced medical expertise and cutting-edge technology, such as beam radiation therapy, on-site treatment planning, and CAT scan imaging.  It’s ‘big-city’ treatment in a beautiful natural setting.

For more information on radiation therapy visit RadiologyInfo.

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