Kadlec Radiation Oncology Clinic
Our Approach
At Kadlec Clinic Radiation Oncology, you’ll receive advanced radiation therapy from a multidisciplinary team focused on your care, comfort and treatment goals. Located in the Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center, our clinic offers coordinated cancer care close to home.
We use leading-edge technology to deliver precise treatments for many types of cancer and some benign conditions. Your care team will work with you and your loved ones to explain your options and support you through each step of treatment.
Advanced Radiation Therapy
Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center invests in advanced radiation oncology technology so more patients can receive specialized care close to home.
Our Edge radiosurgery and TrueBeam radiotherapy systems from Varian Medical Systems help us target cancer and other conditions with greater precision.
These tools allow us to treat more types of tumors and some noncancerous conditions involving inflammation or abnormal tissue growth. Learn more about radiation technology.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. It is a common form of therapy used to shrink tumors by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. Most patients are able to maintain their usual daily activities during radiation therapy, although you may need to adjust your routine based on how you feel and any side effects experienced.
IMRT and VMAT are advanced types of radiation therapies:
- IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate the radiation beams to conform to the shape of a tumor.
- VMAT is a subtype of IMRT in which the machine actively delivers radiation beams while moving in an arc around the patient.
The arc-based therapy provided via VMAT delivers high doses of radiation to more focused areas, reducing side effects, toxicity and harm to vital organs and the overall treatment time.
Both SABR and SBRT deliver high-dose radiation to a specific area with very precise targeting through special immobilization and imaging techniques. These therapies can include stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) systems like CyberKnife, which delivers precisely targeted radiation using a robotic delivery system with sub-millimeter accuracy. SABR and SBRT are often outpatient procedures, so you could go home the same day.
Image-guided radiation therapy delivers high-dose radiation, guided by imaging, directly to the tumor(s). It provides precise and accurate treatment of your cancer while keeping the side effects that you experience to a minimum and preserving healthy tissue.
Brachytherapy is referred to as “internal radiation therapy” because radioactive material is implanted in the body, delivering a higher dose of radiation directly to a specific area or tumor. This can minimize radiation exposure to healthy tissue, potentially shorten your overall treatment time, and help reduce side effects. It is offered at select locations and is used to treat a variety of cancers including prostate, cervical, and breast cancers.
Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is a non-invasive, anti-inflammatory treatment that uses very low doses of radiation to reduce pain and improve joint function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) — especially when other treatments haven't brought enough relief.
LDRT uses precise, low doses of radiation to calm joint inflammation and help improve mobility. Treatment is outpatient and typically includes six sessions, each lasting about 10 minutes. Treatment is painless and similar to getting an X-ray.
Find a Doctor
At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
Recognition
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) - Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx)
Support and Resources
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and impact your life in a variety of ways. At Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center, we understand that cancer care is more than treating a disease.
These services are completely free to our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Radiation therapists, supervised by your radiation oncologist, will deliver your treatments. These are state-licensed professionals who are specially trained to administer radiation therapy. By law, your doctor can’t operate the radiation machine for treatment, but they will oversee your care every step of the way.
Radiation therapists will be monitoring you through a camera and intercom system during your treatment session. They won’t be in the treatment room with you due to radiation exposure risk, but they can hear and see you the entire time. You’ll be shown how to signal for assistance if treatment needs to be stopped.
You’ll meet with your radiation oncologist at least once per week, usually for a short visit following treatment, without needing to book a separate appointment.
No. Neither you nor your clothing will become radioactive, and it’s perfectly safe for you to be around your family and loved ones.
Most patients receive radiation therapy 5 days a week, typically Monday-Friday. Taking weekends off helps give your body time to rest and recover.
While most radiation courses last 2-8 weeks, some conditions may require only a single session. Your doctor and care team will discuss the plan that best fits your specific situation.
During radiation therapy, you’ll be on a treatment table for about 15 minutes. The actual radiation dose takes about 2-3 minutes; the remaining time is spent making sure everything is set up safely and aligned precisely. Some appointments may take longer but are usually still within a 12-15 minute timeframe.
Once you’ve completed the treatment course, we typically wait 1-2 months before doing any follow-up scans. Radiation works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die when they attempt to divide. Because of this process, it takes some time before the changes will show up on a scan.
If you notice any new symptoms or if there are any concerns about how things are going, your doctor may order scans sooner. Your care team is available for any questions you may have throughout and following your radiation therapy.
Simulation is one of your first appointments for radiation therapy, it helps determine the exact position you’ll be in for treatment and provides the imaging your care team needs to create your treatment plan.
During simulation, you’ll have a CT scan that uses a low dose radiation and usually doesn’t require a contrast dye. This scan is necessary because your position for radiation therapy is different than a position used for diagnostic imaging. The radiation oncologist will be help guide the process and ensure your positioning and setup is accurate for treatment sessions.
Side effects depend on the treatment site and are usually limited to the treatment area. Most patients experience mild to moderate fatigue, which often improves 4-6 weeks after treatment ends.
Skin reactions may include redness, itching and dry peeling. Radiation burns are uncommon, occurring in less than 15% of patients. Your doctor will review specific side effects based on your treatment plan.
Radiation treatments don’t typically cause pain – you won’t feel the radiation itself. The treatment table may be hard and uncomfortable if laying still on It for a long time. If you do experience pain during radiation therapy, treatment can be paused while your medical team and radiation therapists evaluate and adjust as needed.
Most prescription medications and supplements don’t interact with radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is an exception; your oncologist will coordinate with your chemotherapy doctor if both are administered.
You’ll be asked to provide a complete list of medications and supplements to your care team and notify them of any changes during treatment.
You’re encouraged to carry on with your normal daily activities as much as possible, as long as you’re not feeling overstressed. However, depending on the area of the body that’s being treated and whether you have additional treatment modalities such as surgery, you may need to discuss restrictions with your care team.
Many people continue to work without experiencing adverse effects. If you feel you can’t continue to work or need a reduced schedule, please talk to your physician or nurse. Try to balance your daily activities with periods of rest, if necessary.
LDRT is recommended for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who are interested in limiting or eliminating medication use for OA, aren’t surgical candidates or want a non-surgical option to manage their OA pain and are over 45 years old.