Radiation Therapy at UH Seidman Cancer Center
At University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, our sole purpose is to improve the lives of cancer patients. Our radiation oncology program offers a world-class team of hundreds of the most compassionate and talented individuals, all with the singular focus of providing cancer care the way it should be – all about the patient.
Make an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with a radiation oncology specialist, call 216-844-3951Why Choose UH Seidman Cancer Center for Cancer Care?
The incredible advances in radiotherapeutic technology have enabled the delivery of highly personalized, ultra-fast, accurate, convenient and a completely non-invasive treatment for cancer patients. This is the foundation of the quality care delivered by UH Seidman Cancer Center’s radiation oncology team.
Some of the ways we are advancing the patient experience include:
- Testing real-time patient monitoring of side effects and treatment delivery
- Use of deep learning and artificial intelligence to improve safety, quality, efficiency and personalized treatment approaches
- Incorporating genomics, advanced imaging, and innovative clinical trials to revolutionize the journey and outcomes for cancer patients
Varian Edge Radiosurgery
The Varian Edge radiosurgery system is an advanced, high-focus radiation beam therapy for treating tumors of the lung, brain, spine and other areas of the body. This breakthrough system utilizes the latest in motion management technology and real-time tumor tracking to optimize both patient comfort and safety.
One of only 38 centers in the USA to offer proton beam therapy
The major advantage of proton beam therapy treatment over standard radiation therapy is that protons slowly deposit their energy as they travel towards the cancerous tumor and deposit the majority of the radiation dose directly in the tumor and travel no further through the body.
Top accruing member site to the National Clinical Trial Network
UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of only 32 Lead Academic Participating Sites in the National Clinical Trial Network and is a leader in clinical trial accrual.
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's is a trusted leader in pediatric cancer care
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is a 244-bed, full-service children’s hospital and academic medical center and a trusted leader in pediatric cancer care.
One of only 32 NCCN member institutions in the country
UH Seidman Cancer Center is one of best cancer hospitals in the country for over 20 years by U.S. News & World Report.
Radiation Therapy Close to Home
In addition to our main campus, UH Seidman Cancer Center offers radiation oncology services in community locations throughout Northeast Ohio, so cancer care is always close to home.
One of only 32 NCCN member institutions in the country
UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s not-for-profit alliance of 32 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research and education.
One of 53 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine – one of an elite group of 53 such comprehensive cancer hospitals in the U.S.
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has an “Exceptional” rating from the NCI, a rating only seven NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers currently hold.
The People
While having the latest technology and talented minds are needed to be a world-class center of excellence, they are only half the story to provide exceptional care. Our team is comprised of hundreds of compassionate people who work together to treat patients the way they would want their family to be treated.
Only Freestanding Cancer Hospital in Northeast Ohio
Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient cancer care is delivered at UH Seidman Cancer Center, the only free-standing cancer hospital in Northeast Ohio. A simple elevator ride takes you between our large radiation oncology department, infusion center, breast center, and numerous inpatient floors and outpatient surgery and medical clinics.
One of Forbes 2022 “America’s Best Large Employers”
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 23 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio, with more than 30,000 employees.
One of the only healthcare organizations to be ranked in the top 10 organizations that excel in diversity and inclusion.
Modern Healthcare recognized ten organizations that have bolstered the diversity of their workforces, including the leadership and governance ranks. UH was one of the only hospital systems to make the list. Over 50% of our department leadership is female, and over 15% of our physicians are underrepresented in medicine.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, works by delivering high doses of radiation that kill cancer cells or slow down their growth. Radiation therapy works gradually and generally requires several weeks of treatments to effectively damage the cancer cells’ DNA enough to kill them. The cancer cells will continue to die even after radiation therapy sessions have ended.
There are many types of radiation therapy, and the type used in your treatment plan will depend on many factors, such as:
- Type of cancer
- Size of tumor
- Location of tumor
- Other cancer treatments you are undergoing
- Your health and demographic factors
The number of radiotherapy treatments you will receive can also vary based on the type of radiation therapy being used and other factors related to your specific cancer.
Conditions and Treatments
Radiation therapy can be used to treat a wide range of common and rare cancer types. UH Seidman Cancer Center offers some of the most advanced radiotherapy technologies, such as image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), proton beam therapy, and Gamma Knife technology.
Learn More About Radiation Therapy TreatmentOur Team
The radiation oncology team at UH Seidman Cancer Center is made up of specially trained healthcare professionals who are experts in radiation therapy and cancer care. Members of our team include:
- Radiation oncologists: Medical doctors trained in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer.
- Advanced practice providers: Healthcare providers, including Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, to help with the diagnosis, treatment recommendations, on treatment assessments, and survivorship care.
- Medical physicists: Specialists trained in physics, including radiological physics, and also in clinical, basic medical, and radiobiological sciences. They help ensure the accurate delivery of all aspects of treatment.
- Medical and Physics Residents: Physicians and physicists undergoing training
- Medical dosimetrists: Health care professionals who design, generate, and measure radiation dose distributions and dose calculations while providing oversight to high level treatment procedures.
- Radiation therapists: A medical professional who administers radiation to patients who have cancer.
- Registered Nurses: Nurses with oncology background and special training in radiation therapy.
- Medical Assistants: Team members who help with in clinic patient assessments and coordination.
Other members of the team that assist patients in various aspects of their cancer journey include:
- Oncology social workers
- Registered dietitians
- Speech therapists
- Dentistry
- Psychologists
- Physician therapists
- Integrative health specialists
- Clinical trial nurses and research assistants
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Clinical Trials
UH Seidman Cancer Center is at the forefront of research, and offers more than 400 clinical trials that can give patients access to innovative cancer treatments. Clinical trials allow patients to receive new therapies that hold great promise but are not yet widely available.