Cancer treatments vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include:

• Surgery – Removal of the tumor or cancerous tissue.

• Chemotherapy – Use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

• Radiation Therapy – High-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells.

• Immunotherapy – Boosting the immune system to fight cancer.

• Targeted Therapy – Drugs that target specific cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

• Hormone Therapy – Blocking hormones that fuel certain cancers like breast or prostate cancer.

Doctors consider factors such as:

• Type and stage of cancer

• The best possible outcome of treatment

• Your overall health and medical history

• Potential side effects

• Your preferences and quality of life considerations

Side effects vary depending on the type of treatment. Here are some common side effects of radiation therapy:

• Fatigue

• Skin Redness or Sunburn to the treated area

• Hair loss to the treated area

• Nausea if treating abdomen or brain

• Loss of Appetite for head and neck treatments

• Diarrhea or Digestive issues for abdomen/pelvis treatment

The treatment time is highly dependent on the type of cancer and your current condition. Most treatment sessions take 8-15 minutes with multiple sessions scheduled per treatment plan. Treatment plans are determined by our radiation oncologists. Treatment plan length can vary from one day to multiple weeks depending on the cancer type.

Most insurance plans cover cancer treatment, but coverage varies. Contact us to understand costs, co-pays, and coverage limits.

The most common type of radiation treatment is external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) through the use of a linear accelerator. This utilizes high intensity x-rays to treat cancer. The use of these x-rays act very similarly to a light switch. Radiation is only on when our radiation therapists turn the switch on. When the switch is off, the radiation is off. Similar to light within a room, it does not follow or stay with you at all.

Sound Cancer Care also provides PET imaging and radioligand therapy. This utilizes a different form of radiation. Although minor, specific precautions must be made because of that. Our team will guide you through the simple steps if you receive one of these procedures.