Cancer Diagnosis and Radiation Oncology

What Is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that uses:

• Radiation therapy
• Advanced imaging
• Treatment planning technology

to help treat cancer.

Radiation therapy may be used:

• Alone
• After surgery
• With chemotherapy
• As part of a broader cancer treatment plan

How Is Radiation Therapy Personalized?

Radiation treatment plans are individualized based on factors such as:

• Cancer type
• Tumor location
• Pathology results
• Prior medical history
• Overall patient health

Even patients with the same cancer diagnosis may receive different treatment plans based on their unique needs.

What Happens During Radiation Therapy?

Patients receiving radiation therapy often:

• Attend treatments regularly over several weeks
• Meet with their radiation oncologist throughout treatment
• Have side effects monitored closely
• Receive support and education during the process

Radiation teams work closely with patients to address concerns and help manage symptoms during treatment.

Why Is Patient Education Important?

Many patients feel anxious when they hear they need radiation therapy.

Radiation oncologists help patients understand:

• How radiation works
• What to expect during treatment
• Potential side effects
• How treatment plans are created

Clear communication may help reduce fear and improve the treatment experience.

What Types of Cancer Can Radiation Therapy Treat?

Radiation oncology may be used in the treatment of many cancers, including:

• Breast cancer
• Gynecologic cancers
• Genitourinary cancers
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Other solid tumors

Treatment recommendations depend on the individual cancer type and stage.

How Is Radiation Oncology Advancing?

Radiation oncology continues to evolve through:

• Clinical research
• New technologies
• Updated treatment guidelines
• More precise targeting techniques

These advances aim to:

• Improve treatment effectiveness
• Protect healthy tissue
• Reduce side effects
• Personalize cancer care

About Dr. Soheila Azghadi

Dr. Soheila Azghadi is a radiation oncologist at Gregory Rhodes MD Cancer Center specializing in gynecologic, breast, and genitourinary cancers.

Video Transcript

The diagnosis of cancer is very challenging, and my advice to my patients is that they are not alone in this journey.

We are all here to support them every step of the way.

Undergoing radiation therapy for cancer can be challenging, but we are here to help.

Patients come here on a daily basis, and we check in with them to address any questions or concerns they may have.

Once a week, I meet with patients to discuss how their treatment is going, any side effects, and whether things are improving or worsening.

There are many misconceptions about radiation therapy in the community, and it is often not well understood.

My role as a radiation oncologist is to educate my patients about the radiation process and walk them through every step of their treatment.

Each radiation treatment plan is unique to the patient.

Even if two patients have the same diagnosis, they won’t receive the same treatment.

I stay actively involved in radiation oncology research and professional organizations to ensure we provide the best possible care for our patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a radiation oncologist do?

A radiation oncologist specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.

Is radiation therapy personalized?

Yes. Radiation treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, pathology, and medical history.

Do patients meet with their doctor during radiation treatment?

Yes. Radiation oncologists regularly monitor patients and discuss side effects and progress during treatment.

Can radiation therapy treat different cancers?

Yes. Radiation therapy may be used for many cancer types, including breast, gynecologic, lung, and prostate cancers.