Radiation Therapy
Our radiation oncology team offers tailored care to relieve your symptoms and get rid of your cancer.
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Morris, M.D. on Oct. 05, 2023.
Nationally Recognized Radiation Oncology Experts
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells with high doses of radiation. Radiation oncologists focus the radiation on your tumor (not your whole body).
Our nationally recognized Department of Radiation Oncology is part of the renowned UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our team of experts provides advanced radiation therapy in a caring environment.
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Types of Radiation Therapy
The radiation oncology providers at UC Davis Health lead the field with advanced technology and therapy options. We offer you the best options available to treat cancer.
Elekta Versa Blue and Versa Gold linear accelerators
We offer radiation treatments using Elekta Versa Blue and Versa Gold linear accelerators. This technology allows us to target tumors quickly and precisely. It is ideal for treating a hard-to-reach mass, tumors that tend to move or sit next to vital organs.
High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
With brachytherapy, we place a radioactive source inside your body next to your tumor. This delivers treatment directly to the tumor and avoids exposing the rest of your body. Brachytherapy treats breast, gynecological and prostate cancers.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
This therapy treats brain, head and neck tumors. We use a robotic radiosurgical system to target radiation to your tumor precisely. This treatment is noninvasive (requires no surgical incisions) and takes less time than traditional radiation therapy.
Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)
IGRT uses X-ray technology to locate your tumor and focus radiation directly on the cancerous cells. The defined target allows us to minimize the effect of radiation on your healthy tissue.
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Conditions
Preparing for Radiation Therapy
Your radiation treatment plan will depend on your type of cancer. You may have multiple sessions each week for several months. Your radiation oncologist will discuss the details of your plan and how to prepare for therapy before your first session.
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Before Radiation Therapy
You will have a simulation and planning session before you begin radiation treatments. This is like a “dress rehearsal” where we use imaging technology to locate your tumor, but you will not receive radiation. After this session, we will develop your treatment plan.
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During Radiation Therapy
What happens during your treatment depends on the type of therapy you receive. External beam radiation takes about 15 minutes and is painless. For brachytherapy, you may need anesthesia while we insert the radioactive source. You will not feel pain during the procedure.
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After Radiation Therapy
You will go home after your treatment if you have external radiation. You will not expose anyone in your household to radiation. If you have brachytherapy, you may go home after treatment or stay in the hospital for a few days. You will need to take precautions to avoid exposing others to radiation after brachytherapy.
Home Care After Radiation Therapy
You may experience some side effects after a radiation therapy session. Take care of yourself and follow your provider’s instructions.
Get Some Rest
Fatigue is a common symptom during radiation oncology. Get plenty of rest.
Hydrate
You may feel nauseous or have diarrhea during radiation therapy. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Protect Your Skin
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun if you have external radiation. Wear sun-protective clothing.
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospital in diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, and orthopedics*. (*Together with Shriners Children’s)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, ovarian cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, uterine cancer surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and orthopedics.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
“Most Wired” for acute care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
“Most Wired” for ambulatory care
UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 11th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality.”
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