Radiation Oncology

Our team of highly specialized radiation oncologists works with you to develop a tailored radiation therapy plan that targets your cancer while minimizing side effects. We’re here to support you through treatment and into survivorship. If radiation therapy is part of your cancer treatment plan, you want the most advanced technology available, and doctors who are experts in their field and care about you and what you’re going through. Our team at the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health radiation oncology program will work with you to develop personalized treatment plans that precisely target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation from X-rays, protons, and other energy sources to target and destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. However, using radiation in your cancer treatment doesn’t mean you’ll be radioactive at any time.

Radiation therapy is delivered either externally from a machine outside the body or internally through materials placed in or near the tumor.

Most types of cancers can be treated with radiation therapy. It can be used as a primary cancer treatment or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Your cancer team works with you to determine what treatments are most effective for you.

What Types of Radiation Therapy Are Offered at Virtua?

Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Radiation Oncology provides innovative external and internal radiation therapy options, including:

• Proton Therapy: Delivers targeted radiation into the tumor through proton beam therapy. Treatments are provided at the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center located on the Virtua Voorhees campus. 
• High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: Delivers radiation directly into the tumor to treat types of gynecologic, breast, and non-melanoma skin cancers
• Volumetric Arc Radiotherapy (VMAT): Type of external beam radiation that delivers continuous radiation in the shape of an arc to maximize dose to the tumor and minimize dose to surrounding tissue.
• Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT): Type of external beam radiation therapy that optimizes the intensity and shape of the beam, to maximize dose to the tumor and minimize dose to surrounding healthy tissues.
• Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT): Image-matching technology targets and tracks the tumor for precise radiation delivery.
• Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH): Technique used to deliver radiation to the chest while avoiding the heart.

What Are the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?

The goal of radiation therapy is to target and destroy cancer cells. However, some treatments can affect normal cells in surrounding organs and tissue, causing side effects.

Most people undergoing radiation treatment feel fatigue. However, you may feel other side effects depending on the area of your body being treated.

Your doctor will talk with you about what to expect and meet with you weekly to discuss and manage your symptoms.

Radiation Oncology Treatment at Virtua

Radiation therapy is a treatment option in which a machine called a linear accelerator delivers high-energy X-ray beams that are precisely aimed to the tumor site in order to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Radiation therapy is delivered both externally and internally. During external radiation therapy, a beam of radiation is directed at the tumor site from outside the body. Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, involves the placement of a radioactive source directly into or near the tumor site. This delivers radiation to a small area of the body and limits the dose to normal tissue.

The typical radiation therapy schedule is five days a week (Monday through Friday) for three to six weeks, depending on various factors such as type of surgery, lymph node involvement, and other patient or tumor features. Sometimes, radiation therapy can be delivered every other day over 10 days.

Each treatment can range from 15 to 20 minutes. Complex treatments such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) or Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) may take longer than conventional radiotherapy treatments.

You are not radioactive during or after your treatment course.

Throughout your treatment course, you will meet with your doctor and nurse once a week. These visits are to assess and manage any side effects that may arise during your treatment.

Managing Radiation Side Effects

While the goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells, it can also injure or destroy normal cells in surrounding organs and tissue. This may cause some unwanted side effects.

During treatment, your skim may be itchy, dry, heavy, or sore. It may also turn red (like sunburn), peel, darken, or develop a shine. Color changes will typically begin to fade about a month after treatment is complete.

Many of these side effects can be managed with medication. You will learn about the side-effect management and the proper use of skin care products approved by your doctor. Your team of doctors, nurses, and therapists will monitor you closely during treatment, and will review skin-care instructions.

Many people worry about their hair falling out. Since radiation therapy treatments are considered “localized,” hair loss will only occur to the body part/area being treated.

How Is Radiation Therapy Different from Chemotherapy?

A radiation oncologist prescribes radiation therapy, which delivers a localized radiation beam specifically to the tumor site or body part. A medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy, an invasive treatment delivered to the entire body that uses powerful chemicals to destroy cancer cells.

Benefits of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation from X-rays, protons, gamma rays and other energy sources to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation can be delivered either externally from a machine outside of the body or internally through materials placed in or near the tumor.

Most types of cancers can be treated with radiation therapy. Your cancer team will work with you to determine if it is right for you. Radiation therapy may be used alone as the primary treatment or in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

What to Expect With Radiation Oncology

At Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Radiation Oncology, we work closely with you so you understand and are comfortable with your treatment plan.

First and foremost, you are not alone in your journey. A multidisciplinary team including experienced radiation oncologists, specially trained nurses, dosimetrists, oncology social workers, registered dietitians, and clinical researchers are here to provide you with the best possible care.

Here is what you can expect:

• Meeting your radiation oncologist: Your doctor will review your medical records, diagnostic images (such as an MRI and CT scans), perform a physical exam, and recommend additional tests, if needed. You’ll learn the risks and benefits of radiation treatment, as well as potential side effects and how to manage them. This is a good time to ask questions and share any concerns.
• Planning your treatment: Your first session is a practice run without radiation, also called a simulation. Through computed tomography (CT), we will outline or map the exact area of your body to be treated. The team will position you, and if needed, utilize immobilization devices such as foam sponges and molds to help hold you still and ensure that you are in the same position for each treatment. Depending on the area being treated, you also may receive small marks on your skin.
• Treatment: Treatments typically begin one to two weeks after the CT simulation. Treatments are painless and are normally delivered every day or every other day, Monday through Friday, for three to six weeks. Each session lasts 15 to 20 minutes, although some therapies may last longer. Throughout your treatment, you will meet with your doctor and nurse once a week to assess and manage any side effects, such as skin sensitivity.
• When your treatment ends: Once your treatments are completed, you will be scheduled for follow-up visits, at a frequency determined by your radiation oncologist. Your radiation oncologist will review your Survivorship Care Plan, which includes a treatment summary, recommendations for follow-up care, and resources to help you to maintain your health.
• Our team is here to support you and your family during the entire process. We look forward to celebrating with you when you ring the bell at the completion of your radiation therapy treatments.