New England Cancer Specialists is proud to introduce our Radiation Therapy Program, offering state-of-the-art treatments for a wide range of cancers (radiation oncology) and select benign (non-cancerous) conditions. Our expert team utilizes the latest technology to provide precise, effective, and personalized radiation therapy while minimizing side effects. Below, you’ll find an overview of the cancers we treat, the non-cancerous conditions we address, and the advanced radiation techniques we use.

What is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation oncology is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It targets specific areas of the body where cancer is present, aiming to destroy the cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiation oncology works by using powerful energy beams, like X-rays, to damage the DNA inside cancer cells. This damage stops the cancer cells from growing and dividing, eventually leading to their death. Radiation can be used alone or in combination with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.

Cancers We Treat with Radiation Therapy

Head, Neck, and Thoracic Cancers

• Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors – Targeted radiation minimizes damage to healthy tissue while effectively treating tumors.
• Head, Neck, Throat, and Pharynx – High-precision techniques reduce side effects and preserve function.
• Larynx & Oral Cavity – Radiation preserves speech and swallowing function while targeting cancer cells.
• Lung Cancer – Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers high-dose radiation with pinpoint accuracy.

Abdominal and Pelvic Cancers

• Bladder Cancer – Radiation may be used alongside chemotherapy or surgery to control tumor growth.
• Prostate Cancer – Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) help protect surrounding organs.
• Rectal & Anus Cancer – Radiation shrinks tumors before surgery or serves as a primary treatment.
• Cervical & Uterine Cancer – External beam radiation precisely targets cancerous cells.

Breast Cancer

• Breast Cancer – Advanced techniques like IMRT focus radiation on the tumor while reducing exposure to the heart and lungs.

Lymphomas & Blood-Related Cancers

• Hodgkin’s & Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – Radiation therapy can be used alone or with chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells.

Bone & Soft Tissue Cancers

• Bone Sarcoma & Soft Tissue Sarcomas – High-energy radiation helps shrink or eliminate tumors.
• Bone & Brain Metastases – Radiation provides pain relief and helps control cancer spread.

Skin Cancer

• Skin Cancer – Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) offers effective, non-invasive treatments that may provide a replacement for surgery.

Radiation for Non-Cancerous Conditions

Radiation therapy isn’t just for cancer—it is also used to treat certain benign (non-cancerous) conditions by reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Low-dose radiation therapy is an effective option when other treatments have not provided relief.

Musculoskeletal & Joint Disorders

• Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease leads to chronic stiffness, swelling, and pain due to the breakdown of cartilage. Targeted radiation can slow joint degeneration and alleviate symptoms in areas like the knee, or hands—especially when surgery isn’t an option.
• Dupuytren’s Contracture: Thickened tissue in the palm can cause fingers—usually the ring and pinky—to curl inward. Early-stage radiation can help soften this tissue and slow progression, potentially avoiding or delaying the need for surgery.
• Keloids: These raised scars grow beyond the site of injury and may be itchy or painful. Radiation therapy—often performed after surgical removal—helps flatten existing keloids and significantly reduces the risk of recurrence.

For individuals with persistent pain and limited mobility from these conditions, radiation therapy offers a non-invasive, low-risk alternative to surgery or long-term medication use.

Radiation Treatments We Offer

Advanced Radiation Planning & Imaging

• 3-Dimensional Radiotherapy Planning – Creates a highly accurate radiation map to precisely target tumors.
• IMRT and VMAT Dose Planning – Customizes radiation doses to deliver maximum tumor destruction while protecting healthy tissue.
• IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy) with CT or kV image guidance – Adjusts treatment based on real-time imaging for increased precision before and during treatment.

Radiation Treatment Delivery

• IMRT/VMAT Treatment Delivery – Delivers controlled, high-dose radiation to tumors with minimal impact on healthy tissues.
• SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) – Provides highly focused radiation in fewer sessions, often used for lung or prostate cancer.
• SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) – A non-invasive, high-dose radiation treatment for brain and spinal tumors.
• Electron Therapy (for superficial targets)

Specialized Devices & Medical Consultations

• Multi-leaf Collimation (MLCs) – A specialized tool that shapes radiation beams for greater accuracy.
• Treatment Devices & Special Teletherapy Port Plan – Customized equipment to enhance treatment delivery, including custom molds, masks, and immobilization equipment.
• Basic & Special Dosimetry – Measures radiation dose to optimize patient safety and effectiveness.
• Special Medical Physics Consultations – Ensures ongoing safety, quality, and accuracy of radiation treatments.

At New England Cancer Specialists, our Radiation Therapy Program offers cutting-edge treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. Whether you are facing cancer or a chronic musculoskeletal condition, our team is here to provide expert care with the most advanced radiation therapies available.

What are the Common Side Effects of Radiation Oncology?

While radiation oncology is effective, it can cause side effects which are largely dependent on the dose and treatment site. Common side effects include:

• Skin Changes: The skin in the treated area may become red, dry, or irritated, similar to a sunburn.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired is a common side effect that may last throughout treatment and for some time afterward.
• Hair Loss: Radiation to the head can cause hair loss in the treated area.
• Nausea: Especially if the abdomen or pelvis is treated.
• Difficulty Swallowing: Can occur if the treatment area includes the throat or chest.

What is the Prognosis After Radiation Oncology?

The prognosis after radiation oncology depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. Radiation oncology is often very effective at controlling or even curing certain cancers, especially when used in combination with other treatments.

How We Administer Radiation.

There are two terms you should understand about the delivery of radiation:

• External Beam Radiation: This is the most common type, in which radiation is used to precisely deliver radiation X-ray beams at the cancer. The total duration and frequency of treatment depends on the type of cancer.
• Low-dose radiation: This is used to treat non-cancerous conditions such as osteoarthritis. This is typically given every other day basis, for six total treatments, with a dose that is much lower than what is used to kill cancer cells. The goal is simply to reduce inflammation in the affected joint. 

Treatments are usually given daily over several weeks to ensure the best chance of killing cancer cells while allowing healthy cells time to recover.

Note: There is another form of radiation known as Internal Radiation or Brachytherapy that is not currently offered at New England Cancer Specialists. This involves placing a radioactive source inside the body, near the cancer.

What Should You Expect During Radiation Therapy?

Before treatment, you’ll have a planning session called a simulation. During this, your care team will map out the precise area to be treated. Radiation therapy itself is painless, and each session usually lasts only a few minutes. You will lie still while the machine delivers the radiation, and then you can go about your day as usual.