CentraCare Radiation Oncology understands your cancer experience is unique. We are committed to providing you with personal care and treatment. It is an honor to serve Alexandria and surrounding communities with exceptional quality care and the latest cancer technology “close to home.”

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to slow or stop a cancer tumor from growing or dividing. Modern technology lets doctors treat tumors precisely while sparing much of the healthy tissue around the tumor. Radiation therapy can cure cancer, keep it from spreading, slow cancer growth or ease symptoms caused by cancer.

Your Treatment
Your doctor may treat your cancer with radiation only. Or he or she may order radiation along with chemotherapy and/or surgery. You can expect the following steps in the radiation treatment process:

• Step 1 – Consultation – A radiation oncologist and nurse talk to you and examine you. Your loved ones are welcome to be part of this process.
• Step 2 – Simulation – A CT simulator scans the area of cancer. The radiation oncology team uses the images to design a treatment plan.
• Step 3 – Computerized treatment planning – Our team transfers the images from the scan to the treatment planning computer. The team decides your radiation dose through this process.
• Step 4 – Treatment verification – Once treatment is planned, you return for verification films. This process makes sure your body’s position on the treatment machine is correct.
• Step 5 – Radiation treatments – Most people get treatment daily, Monday through Friday, at the same time every day for two to nine weeks. Your care depends on your personal treatment plan. This plan is based on the best practice guidelines for your diagnosis. While under treatment, the radiation oncologist checks you weekly.
• Step 6 – Last day of treatment – The nurse and/or radiation oncologist meet with you on the last day of treatment to go over discharge instructions and answer any questions. We will schedule you for a follow-up visit.

Specialists Centered on You
Cancer is a complex, challenging illness. CentraCare Radiation Oncology has dedicated, skilled, board- certified professionals centered on your needs. Your radiation therapy team will include:

• Radiation oncologist (doctor) - Oversees the radiation therapy treatments and works with the radiation therapy team to design a treatment plan and ensure correct treatment
• Radiation oncology nurse - Provides nursing care and helps you learn about the treatment and how to take care of side effects
• Medical physicist - Checks and calibrates the equipment and takes precise measurements of the radiation beam
• Medical dosimetrist - Works closely with the radiation oncologist to design the treatment plan and calculate the right dose of radiation for you. He or she aims to effectively treat the tumor while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
• Radiation therapist - Aligns and gives daily radiation treatment under the doctor’s order and supervision. He or she also keeps daily records and regularly inspects the machine that gives the radiation treatments.

Quality
CentraCare Radiation Oncology has accreditation from the American College of Radiology, American Society for Radiation Oncology. The three-year accreditation runs from 2011-2014. CentraCare is one of only three radiation oncology programs in Minnesota to achieve this recognition.

Technology
CentraCare Radiation Oncology uses leading edge cancer treatment planning and technology:

• Varian iX Linear Accelerator - Delivers dual energy photon and electron therapy. The accelerator has the capability to perform 3-D conformal therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image guided radiation therapy (IGRT).
• GE LightSpeed CT Simulator
• Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning System

Payment
Radiation therapy is an outpatient treatment. Before treatment, check with your insurer for coverage and deductibles. We will bill your insurance company. Your insurance also will get a  bill from your doctor.

More Information
We are committed to providing you with quality cancer treatment. The strength of our services and technology is matched by the compassion and skill of our radiation oncology team. For more information about our care, call (320) 762-8903. Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.