Treating Cancer with Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment that uses radiation, often in the form of very strong X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Using the latest technology and advanced imaging techniques, radiation oncologists deliver precise doses of radiation to cancer cells.
Sanford Health offers radiation oncology treatment at our major cancer centers in Sioux Falls, Fargo, Bismarck, Bemidji and Worthington.
Radiation Oncology Treatments
We understand that cancer care should be as unique as the person we’re treating. Your care team will discuss your options and recommend a radiation treatment plan that is right for you and your needs.
Your radiation oncology treatment options:
Radiosurgery allows doctors to pinpoint and deliver a one-time high dose of radiation to the tumor’s exact location. This can be a good option for patients with tumors deep inside the body or brain and is often used when surgery is not an option.
Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment delivered directly into your body, placed as close to the cancer as possible through an implant filled with radioactive materials.
External beam therapy (EBRT) is delivered by a linear accelerator and uses a beam of radiation to target the tumor site. Using real-time advanced imaging technology, the Varian radiotherapy system uses a beam of radiation to target tumors, even in sensitive areas, and deliver treatment with accuracy and speed.
The linear accelerator monitors motion in real time and corrects any patient movement to protect healthy tissue. It delivers treatment faster, both by the rate of dose delivery and its ability to treat multiple targets simultaneously. Because of this, patients are more comfortable during treatments and heal in fewer sessions.
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) allows radiologists to deliver radiation directly to the tumor site during surgery. We offer IORT in Sioux Falls.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows oncologists to target tumors in a more accurate way by concentrating radiation on only the tumor. With this technique, healthy cells and organs close to the cancer stay better protected.
Hypofractionated therapy or accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) increases the amount of radiation delivered per treatment and therefore reduces the number of treatments necessary.