Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer by using beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy is the most common form of radiation therapy. High intensity energy beams are aimed at a precise point on the patient’s body to target the cancer. Another type of radiation treatment is used internally. This treatment, called brachytherapy, uses radiation inside the body to treat cancerous cells.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. By destroying the genetic material that controls how cancerous cells grow and divide, radiation therapy often successfully minimizes or eliminate cancer. While both healthy and cancerous cells are damaged by radiation therapy, radiation therapy seeks to focus on the cancerous cells and works to destroy as few normal, healthy cells as possible.

Hormones encourage the growth of some cancers, but they can also kill, slow or stop the spread of other cancer cells. With hormone therapy, patients receive medications that halt cancer by preventing cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. In some cases, a surgeon may remove the gland responsible for hormone production. Hormone therapy in often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Hormone therapy may be considered for patients diagnosed with prostate, breast, ovarian or thyroid cancer. Hormone treatments may vary based on the patient’s age, the type and size of the tumor, and the presence of hormone receptors on the tumor. Our goal is to listen to you and work with you to develop a treatment plan that restores your complete health.

There are many ways to treat cancer. Surgery is an aggressive means of cancer care and is often used to accurately diagnose and treat cancer. Surgery is also advised to manage some cancer-related symptoms. Factors such as the tumor type, size, location and stage, as well as other factors such as age, fitness level and other medical conditions also inform the surgical decision-making process.

Surgery is often combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy to ensure optimal results. These treatments may be recommended before or after surgery to prevent the growth, spread or recurrence of cancer.