Radiation oncology is one of three commonly used treatment choices in the fight against cancer. Radiation treatments are given at Coborn Cancer Center in St. Cloud, as well as at CentraCare Radiation Oncology at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN. Radiation is an effective way to treat many kinds of cancer in almost any part of the body. It is estimated that 50-60 percent of all persons in the United States who have cancer will receive radiation treatments at some point during the course of their disease.

The goals of radiation therapy vary depending on the type and extent of the cancer. A few primary goals of therapy include:

• Cure: In this case, the goal is to completely eradicate the disease.
• Control: In this case, the goal is to reduce the growth and spread of the disease.
• Prophylaxis: In this case, the goal is to treat areas that may have microscopic disease but no symptoms.
• Palliation: In this case, the goal is to relieve or reduce distressing symptoms or impending complications.

The process of designing and delivering a course of radiation therapy is a complicated process that depends on the expertise of several people pulling together, including:

• A radiation oncologist who plans and prescribes your treatments.
• A medical physicist who works with the radiation oncologist to ensure the accuracy of your treatment delivery.
• A dosimetrist who calculates the amount of radiation to be given and works with complex computers to custom design your treatment plan.
• A radiation therapist who actually administers the radiation treatments and that you will see every day.
• A registered nurse, who specializes in oncology care, is available to help you and your family during the course of treatment.