Penn Medicine's radiation oncologists use special techniques to maximize the impact of radiation on the tumor and minimize the effect on normal surrounding body tissue. The sophisticated equipment used at Penn works to direct just the right amount of radiation at the precise location of a tumor.
We offer today's latest technology and treatment options, all of which are delivered by doctors who are leaders in their field. This means patients have early access to the latest research, technology, and clinical advances, including many that combine radiation therapy with chemotherapy and/or surgery.
About Radiation Treatment
Radiation treatment uses X-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation treatment is an effective treatment for many types of cancers in almost any part of the body.
The two main goals of radiation treatment are to cure cancer and relieve symptoms. For many patients, radiation is the only treatment needed. However, radiation treatment may also be given in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery. Radiation can be used before surgery to shrink a tumor, and during or after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may still be present. Sometimes radiation is used along with anticancer drugs to destroy the cancer, instead of performing surgery.
Radiation can be used as a palliative therapy, meaning that its primary intent is not to cure the cancer, but to relieve pressure, bleeding, or pain by shrinking tumors.
Types of Radiation Treatment
Penn offers the following radiation treatments for cancerous and non-cancerous growths: