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Cleveland Clinic offers radiation therapy in Ohio, Florida and Abu Dhabi. Our cancer specialists work together to understand your needs and provide thoughtful, personalized treatment.
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You’ve just learned you have cancer — and your provider has mentioned radiation as a possible treatment.
The idea alone can feel overwhelming. But radiation oncology is a powerful part of cancer care — and it’s come a long way. Today’s radiation treatments are more precise and effective than ever, using lower doses and shorter courses to target cancer (and even lower doses to treat noncancerous conditions) while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible.
After diagnosis, you have a choice. No matter what type of cancer you have, Cleveland Clinic’s radiation oncology team is here to guide you through each step of advanced care. We’ll help you understand your options and start treatment with confidence.
Cleveland Clinic offers radiation therapy in Ohio, Florida and Abu Dhabi. Our cancer specialists work together to understand your needs and provide thoughtful, personalized treatment.
Each year, our radiation oncology team delivers more than 125,000 customized radiation treatments using the latest technology to maximize precision and shorten treatment cycles. Meet our team.
Our team uses the latest linear accelerators (LINACs) to deliver external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) quickly and precisely. We carefully target radiation to the tumor (and/or other areas at risk) to reduce damage to healthy cells.
Radiation therapy continues to evolve thanks to ongoing research efforts at Cleveland Clinic and across the world. We participate in clinical trials that help us improve today’s care and find new therapies for the future.
We’re here to support you from wherever you are. Our virtual visits easily connect you with radiation oncology specialists for consultations, follow-ups and care planning — making it easier to get expert guidance without extra travel.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells. Without those instructions, the cells can’t grow or multiply — so, they die, and tumors shrink. Over the years, radiation therapy has become exceptionally precise, which helps limit damage to nearby healthy tissue.
Because no two treatment plans are the same, our team will work with you to create one that fits your needs. We’ll consider several factors, including your:
You’ll meet with one of our radiation oncologists to talk through your options and decide which approach is best. Depending on the type of cancer you have, we may choose:
There are many forms of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), a treatment that lets us precisely direct high-energy radiation at a tumor and/or areas at risk to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. We use EBRT for a wide spectrum of cancers. Our specialists are trained to guide patients to receive the appropriate type of radiation treatment.
Some types of external beam radiation therapy include:
We also offer partial breast irradiation if you have an early-stage tumor. Instead of treating your entire breast, we focus only on the partial breast at the highest risk for cancer recurrence.
If you have a tumor in your eye, cervix, uterus or prostate, we may recommend treating the cancer from the inside. This can involve placing a solid, low-dose radiation source near the tumor (image-guided brachytherapy), which can be a permanent or temporary implant, or using a liquid radiation treatment that travels through your body (systemic therapy, like radioimmunotherapy).
Our team also uses lower-dose radiation therapies for certain conditions, including:
Cleveland Clinic believes in teamwork — and that same spirit guides the way we care for you. Cancer care requires a team approach, and our group will work closely with your other providers. Alongside your radiation oncologist, you’ll have an experienced team working together to plan and manage your treatment, including:
Together, we’ll support every part of your care — not just your treatment, but your overall well-being.
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Your treatment experience will vary depending on whether you’re having external or internal radiation therapy.
For internal radiation, you’ll have a physical exam and imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI. When it’s time for treatment, you’ll receive either a temporary or permanent implant, or liquid radiation through an IV (in your vein). You’ll be able to go home the same day.
If you’re having EBRT, you’ll first undergo a simulation to map the radiation for actual treatment. During this session, we’ll use imaging to confirm the treatment location, position you on the table in the same way as your treatments and mark the areas that will receive radiation.
This process helps your oncologist determine the correct radiation dose, location, and areas to avoid. In the days following the simulation, you’ll begin regular treatment, usually over multiple short sessions. And you’ll go home after each one.
A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty — but you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Our team will help you understand your options, feel more prepared and move forward with confidence.
Getting an appointment with one of our radiation oncologists is easy. We’re here to help you get the care you need.
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