The Power of Radiation Oncology

For patients getting cancer treatment, radiation oncology is a powerful way to target tumors with precision and care.

“Radiation oncology is a very niche specialty,” said Andy Freeman, MD, system chief for radiation oncology at OhioHealth. “In fact, in medical school, most people never get exposed to it. They’ve never heard of it.”

At OhioHealth, patients can benefit from tools that deliver radiation with incredible accuracy. This includes a treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) which allows doctors to aim high doses of radiation directly at a tumor while protecting the area around it.

In the past, doctors used an x-ray before treatment to check a patient’s position, but slight movements during treatment could go undetected. Now, surface monitoring is keeping treatment on track.

“We’re actually monitoring the position of the patient in real time,” Dr. Freeman said. “So, if they have any subtle movements that may be moving outside of the target, we can immediately shut the beam off and reassess.”

OhioHealth was the first in the country to install a surface monitoring system that uses both infrared and thermal technology at the same time.

“It gives us two modalities to feel confident that we are monitoring those patients and they’re staying in the right position throughout their treatment,” Dr. Freeman said.

And patients across Ohio don’t have to travel far to get this level of care.

“Care close to home is one of the things that I love about OhioHealth,” Dr. Freeman said. “They’re invested in the local communities to provide access to these patients. And we don’t just provide access, but we provide access that gives equal quality of care in these local communities that we can provide in central Ohio.”

To learn more about radiation oncology at OhioHealth, click here.