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Radiation therapy

An oncologist is a type of doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. One type of treatment an oncologist may use is radiation therapy, which destroys cancer cells through beams of strong energy.

Radiation oncology in Greater Denver

Our radiation oncologists specialize in improving your life with nonsurgical cancer treatments.

Cancer care is never one-size-fits all. At HealthONE, we see positive outcomes with radiation therapy, as a standalone treatment and by pairing it with chemotherapy and surgery. We work to understand your unique needs and tailor radiation treatments accordingly.

Have cancer questions?

We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.

We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.

Radiation therapy services we provide

The primary goals of our radiation teams are to treat cancer by eliminating the tumor. We also aim to reduce the risk of cancer cell growth after surgery.

Types of radiation therapy we offer

Depending on your condition, there are a wide variety of radiation treatments available to help destroy cancer cells and block future growth. Radiation therapies, or, radiotherapies, we offer include:

Deep inspiration breath holding technique (DIBH)

DIBH is a method of delivering radiotherapy to the left breast, to avoid any concerns about incidental radiation to the heart.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

EBRT delivers high-dose radiation to the targeted area. This delivery system shapes the radiation beam to the exact dimensions and contour of the specified area.

Prone breast board treatment

Prone breast radiation is a unique way to administer EBRT. The board is designed to position you on your stomach, so healthy breast tissue is isolated away from the body.

High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy

HDR brachytherapy delivers radiation treatment from the inside of the body, as opposed to externally. This is commonly referred to as internal radiation treatment.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

IGRT uses imaging technology at the radiation table to improve precision and accuracy of treatment, while minimizing radiation to healthy surrounding tissue.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)

IORT is a breast cancer treatment that involves you being able to complete an entire dose of radiation therapy during a lumpectomy surgery.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

IMRT delivers a sculpted dose of radiation that matches the exact 3D shape of the target area.

Radiopharmaceuticals delivery

Radiopharmaceuticals are cancer drugs that targets cancer cells and give off radiation to kill these cells, while sparing healthy ones.

Respiratory gating

This type of radiation therapy ensures treatment is delivered at the most optimal time throughout your respiratory cycle.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

SBRT is used to precisely treat tumors that are located anywhere in the body with pinpoint accuracy, allowing for significantly higher doses of radiation to be delivered in fewer treatments.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS delivers a large dose of precisely placed, high-energy X-ray beams to shrink or control the growth of a tumor. This is a highly advanced form of brain surgery, and it allows us to treat tumors that were previously deemed "inoperable." It's so precise, that it is able to target the tumor exactly, with only minimal damage to the surrounding area. This noninvasive procedure is beneficial for many reasons, including offering you a faster recovery, greatly reduced postsurgical pain and a more affordable (covered by Medicaid and most insurances) treatment.


Electronic brachytherapy radiation technology

Electronic brachytherapy is a treatment that involves precise, internal placement of a radiation source. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be directed at a specific site within your body, while allowing for greater protection of the normal tissues in the surrounding areas.

There are numerous benefits to this technology, including:

  • The lower-energy X-ray technology allows providers to be in the room with you during treatment, which we hope to be particularly comforting.
  • The radiation source is X-ray technology, instead of radioactive material, and has the potential to minimize radiation exposure of surrounding healthy tissues during treatment.
  • There is less need for special handling of hazardous, cancer-related materials because this technique does not use radioactive isotopes.

What to expect with radiation therapy

When looking into moving forward with radiation therapy treatments, you will meet with a radiation oncologist for a consultation and physical examination to discuss options and benefits of radiation therapy treatments. A medical exam and your family/personal medical history will help determine appropriate options for treatment.

If radiation therapy is pursued, you will be set up with a simulation appointment, where a computerized tomography (CT) scan will be performed for treatment planning. This scan allows us to develop exact positioning throughout your course of radiation therapy.

Next, the dosimetrist — a member of the radiation oncology team who controls radiation dosage — will review your information and design a custom treatment plan. This plan will outline the precise location of treatment. The dosimetrist works very closely with the radiation oncologist to deliver your treatment plan.

Before your radiation treatment begins, you will come back for one more verification, or “dry run” day. This day is very similar to what your treatment will be like, but no radiation treatment will be delivered.

During your course of radiation therapy, an oncology nurse will be available at all times to assist you with any needs. You will see the radiation oncologist once weekly for a check-in visit.


About Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.

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