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“They’re so welcoming and nice. The first day was scary but they explained everything and made me feel comfortable.”
– Marisa

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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays that target specific cancer sites. Radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells, relieve symptoms associated with cancer and/or prevent the cancer from returning. Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, hyperthermia and surgery.

Different types of radiation – such as 3D CRT (3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy), IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy), Partial Breast Irradiation, Prostate Seeds and HDR (High-Dose Radiation Therapy), as well as radiopharmaceuticals – are used to treat specific types of cancers.

Radiation can be delivered either from outside the body with a machine called a linear accelerator (external beam radiation) or from a radiation source implanted permanently or temporarily in the body (brachytherapy).

Highly Personalized & Precise

We have an experienced and compassionate team of experts including doctors, physicist, dosimetrist and radiation therapists who work together to carefully create and deliver a treatment plan designed to ensure the best possible outcome. Our team utilizes advanced 3D CRT (3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy) and IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy).

3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy uses CT, MRI and PET scans to create three-dimensional images of the tumor. Your oncologist and medical physicist then uses these images to develop your personalized radiation treatment plan.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy uses these advanced computer images to adjust the intensity (dose), direction and shape of radiation beams delivered to the tumor. This precision targets the tumor and spares adjacent healthy tissue.

Expertise + Compassion

At San Bernardino Cancer Care Center, our mission is to combine world-class cancer care with a deep and heart-felt commitment to the wellbeing of our patients and families. We are here to take care of you every step of the way during this difficult time. Our highly specialized radiation oncologists will determine the treatment plan to achieve the best possible outcome. We will keep you and your caregivers informed and supported from diagnosis through treatment.

We treat our patients like they’re a member of our own family

We treat cancer using state-of-the-art personalized care

We deliver care with compassion, empathy and respect

Why Choose San Bernardino Cancer Care Center?

We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care. Here are the top reasons why we believe San Bernardino Cancer Care Center is the best choice:

  1. We use state-of-the-art therapies.
  2. Our doctors are specially trained and board certified.
  3. Our treatment plans follow national guidelines and are the same protocols as those used by the top academic cancer centers.
  4. Our medical, technical and support staff are experts at what they do.
  5. We work as one team that is closely coordinated, with one focus.
  6. We treat patients like they are our family.
  7. We keep close tabs on your physical, mental and emotional well-being because we care about quality of life.

What to Expect

You will have a CT scan, PET scan or MRI to create a personalized treatment plan. A specialized team including your oncologist and a medical physicist will use 3D images and special computer software to establish the precise contours for each tumor and any regions of risk (sensitive organs or structures). Your doctor will decide how much radiation the tumor should receive and the appropriate pattern, position and intensity of the radiation beam will be calculated.

Ink marks or small tattoo-like dots may be placed on your skin in the area of the tumor to ensure the radiation is precisely delivered to the tumor. The markings are visible on your skin, but only in the area of the tumor and are not permanent. They are designed to fade and will begin to disappear towards the end of your radiation treatments. Occasionally, the markings will have to be reapplied to your skin during treatment. It is very important that you do not scrub the markings, during your bathing/showering. Your radiation therapist will discuss with you how to care for your skin during your treatments, including protecting the markings. You may also need a custom-fitted molded device to help keep you in the same position before and during treatment.

Radiation treatments happen Monday through Friday for a number of weeks, usually for 5-8 weeks. Weekend breaks, on Saturday and Sunday, allow your normal cells to recover and assist your healing process.

Our radiation therapists will bring you from the waiting room, into the treatment room with the linear accelerator (radiation machine). The therapists will make you comfortable in the room and assist you in getting positioned on the treatment table.

Two therapists will align the laser to the target on your skin, indicated by the “tattoo-like” markings. Alignment takes only a couple of minutes. The therapists will leave the room to deliver and monitor your treatment.

During the treatment the machine will move over your body. You won’t feel anything. It’s much like having an x-ray. Sometimes the specific area of skin receiving treatment, can get tender and sunburned, your healthcare team will want to know if you are experiencing any burning or discomfort during your treatment. Your healthcare team will guide you with proper care of your skin.

Typically the treatment takes about 10-15 minutes.

The most common side effect of radiation therapy is fatigue – it is very important to get plenty of rest and adequate nutrition. Generally, you will see your doctor weekly. We are always available if you need us.

Reliable & Helpful Information

There are a lot of unknowns that come with a cancer diagnosis so we do our best to give you as much information as we can to help put your mind at ease. Whether you’re the person diagnosed with cancer, family member or loved one, the way you approach this life-changing event will be a reflection of how you approach life. Some people like to dig into the science to understand what cancer is and what the treatment options are from a technical standpoint. You might want to know statistics about the prognosis, the potential side effects or alternative therapies. Others may focus on the emotional and spiritual aspects of the journey. Regardless of your “style,” it’s important to educate yourself using reliable sources.

The American Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute are helpful, trustworthy websites full of educational materials which cover all types of cancer, well-being for cancer patients, coping for family members, survivorship and more.