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What is radiation oncology?

Medically Reviewed by Nassim Assefi, MD on December 14th, 2023

Radiation oncology refers to a specialized branch of medicine focused on using high-energy radiation to treat cancer. This treatment method, known as radiation therapy, employs targeted doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells, aiming to prevent and slow down their growth.

Specialists working in this field are called radiation oncologists. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and develop personalized treatment plans for each patient's condition. This team includes specialists like:

• Radiation therapy nurse: A radiation therapy nurse is a registered nurse providing all-inclusive care to cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. They offer support, education, and monitoring throughout the treatment process.
• Radiation therapist: A radiation therapist is a healthcare professional responsible for administering radiation treatments to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist. They are experts in working with devices used to give radiation therapy.
• Dosimetrist: A dosimetrist is the specialist who plans and arranges required radiation doses.
• Medical physicist: A medical physicist is skilled in performing quality assurance and calibrating treatment equipment, ensuring safe and accurate delivery of radiation treatments.

If you or a loved one have cancer, seek help from a specialist who may suggest you get radiation oncology near you for comprehensive care to combat it effectively while prioritizing your overall well-being.

How does radiation therapy work?

There are two major types of radiation therapy. These are:

• External beam radiation therapy: This involves using a machine. It directs radiation beams from outside the body toward the cancerous area. It can move around the patient to aim radiation precisely at the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy surrounding tissues.
• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy): This technique entails placing radioactive materials near or directly into the tumor inside the body. The radiation source remains inside for a specified duration, delivering radiation to the tumor site, aiming to destroy cancer cells.

Doctors may use radiation therapy as a standalone treatment or may combine it with other cancer treatments like medications, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

What conditions can radiation oncology treat?

Radiation oncologists can treat various cancers using radiation therapy. These include:

• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Neck cancer 
• Head cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Eye cancer
• Adrenal cancer
• Anal cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Bone cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lip cancer
• Mouth cancer
• Skin cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Tongue cancer
• Tumors like Wilms, vertebral, spinal cord, solitary fibrous, salivary gland, pituitary, peripheral nerves, brain (adult and pediatric), desmoid, and more

How do you reduce the risk of getting cancer?

Reducing the risk of cancer involves adopting healthy lifestyle choices and preventive measures. While no method can guarantee complete prevention, the following steps may help lower the risk of developing it:

• Avoid tobacco: Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco use is a significant cause of various cancers like lung, mouth, throat, voice box, pancreas, bladder, cervix, and kidney.
• Healthy diet: Consume a healthy, balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. Limit refined sugars, processed meat, and fat from animal sources. Additionally, people who follow a Mediterranean diet that contains mixed nuts and extra-virgin olive oil might have a lower risk of breast cancer.
• Limit alcohol: If you consume alcohol, do it in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to many types of cancer, such as breast, lung, colon, kidney, and liver.
• Regular exercise: Perform regular physical activity for at least 150 minutes weekly. Exercise helps maintain a healthy BMI and reduces cancer risk.
• Sun protection: Protect your skin from fatal UV rays by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours.
• Vaccinations: Get vaccinated against viruses associated with certain cancers, such as HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis B.
• Avoid risky behaviors: Practicing safe sex and not sharing needles with others helps avoid infections, which might otherwise raise the risk of cancer.
• Regular check-ups: Visit your doctor regularly for preventive check-ups and promptly discuss any concerns or symptoms.

Are you seeking radiation oncology near you? 

If you are looking for a qualified radiation oncologist in the country, Zocdoc can simplify your search. It makes the process of scheduling appointments with leading radiation oncologists effortless.

You can begin by creating a free Zocdoc account. Specify your condition or symptoms, preferred specialty, date, location, and insurance plan. When you hit enter, you will have a comprehensive list of top-rated radiation oncologists meeting your criteria.

Each radiation oncologist on Zocdoc has a unique profile featuring brief bios, qualifications, accreditations, certifications, awards, visit reasons, practice location, and user ratings and patient reviews. Before scheduling an appointment, you can familiarize yourself with your doctor through their profile.

You can also use advanced filters for the provider's gender, language, visit type, insurance carrier plans, and more to refine your results. Zocdoc even provides a video consultation facility with the radiation oncologist near you. Look for the purple icon on the specialist's profile or filter the video consultation option.

Thanks to Zocdoc, getting radiation oncology near you is now easier! All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and 100% cost-free!

Statistics related to radiation oncology

As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the Area Health Resource File highlighted a count of 5338 active radiation oncologists for an estimated population of 326.1 million in 2017.

The American Cancer Society 2023 figures unveiled around 1,958,310 new cancer cases in the country, encompassing all types of cancers in both males and females. These figures break down to approximately 300,590 cases of breast cancer, 153,020 of colon and rectal cancers, 21,560 of esophageal cancers, 238,340 of lung and bronchial cancers, and 288,300 of prostate cancer.

Besides, it is worth highlighting that preventing many cancers is possible. As of January 1, 2022, a remarkable over 18 million people previously diagnosed with invasive cancer are alive today. Many of these were diagnosed years ago and presently exhibit no signs of the disease.

Sources

WebMD

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

National Center for Biotechnology Information

American Cancer Society

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.