
Radiation Therapy for Whole-Person Healing
You’re determined to take the necessary steps for healing. But we also know that healing happens best at home, where your spirit thrives.
It’s why we consistently invest in technology that helps us deliver the most effective radiation treatment possible in the least amount of time so that you can get back to your home and family.
From the game-changing Gamma Knife radiosurgery for brain and spinal cancer to MRI-guided brachytherapy for urologic cancer, you’ll find the leading-edge tools and expert team for radiation therapy that gets you better faster.
How Radiation Works
Most radiation therapies use energy similar to an X-ray, targeting only the part of your body that needs treatment, keeping your healthy tissue strong and untouched. We achieve this precise targeting by using machines that beam gamma rays from above or by briefly inserting small radiation implants under your skin.
At the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, you'll have access to some of the most advanced radiation healing tools, including the TrueBeam visual radiation system and industry-changing Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Explained
No incisions. No anesthesia. Despite its name, the high-tech Gamma Knife isn’t actually a knife at all. It’s a machine that targets difficult-to-reach cancer cells with a powerful stream of gamma rays, and you can go home that same day.
A Team Approach to Cancer Care
The TrueBeam System
This image-guided radiation system has open sides and revolves high above you, so you can relax and breathe easily. The system is designed to deliver precise radiation directly to a tumor site while sparing healthy tissue and reducing overall treatment time. This precision, along with treatment techniques, minimizes radiation exposure to vital organs such as the chest wall, protecting healthy cardiac tissue and lungs. It’s the preferred treatment for lung, breast, prostate and gastrointestinal tumors.
What To Expect From Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) allows a higher dose of radiation in a smaller area. During this procedure, a radioactive source is applied inside your body or near your tumor. Depending on your diagnosis, your team may recommend a high- or low-dose-rate application. Brachytherapy allows our specialists to target the tumor directly while reducing the number of treatments and lowering radiation exposure to surrounding organs.
MRI-Guided HDR Brachytherapy
This is a minimally invasive method that delivers concentrated doses of radiation, keeping healthy nearby tissue safer. It’s commonly used to treat urologic cancers, gynecologic cancers, breast cancer and more.
SpaceOar Protects Vital Organs
SpaceOAR is a temporary, injectable, non-toxic, biodegradable gel that protects the rectum during brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer. By protecting the rectum, patients experience fewer side effects from their prostate cancer treatment.
AdventHealth Cancer Center Shawnee Mission: Technology
Innovative Radiation Treatments
Our radiation oncologists specialize in the following advanced radiation treatments, each designed to shorten recovery times and improve overall outcomes:
- Intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers precise radiation during a lumpectomy before the incision is closed, helping reduce damage to healthy tissue and greatly decreasing the number of radiation treatments you need after surgery
- Radioembolization therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that combines embolization and radiation therapy to treat liver cancer
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy is used for small, early-stage tumors and is commonly used to treat pancreatic cancer, liver cancer or metastasis to the liver
- MRI-guided radiation therapy with the Elekta Unity MR-Linac system allows us to see tumors as we treat them, resulting in pinpoint precision, fewer treatments and reduced side effects. Click here to learn more.

Personalized Patient Navigation
You and your family are always supported. And you’ll always know what’s next. Your Nurse Navigator will coordinate and communicate every detail of your care, from setting up every appointment to helping you understand what to expect before, during and after your treatments.
What To Expect From Radiation Treatment
Radiation sessions are typically short, but depending on your treatment plan, you may have several sessions over a few days or weeks. Your oncology team will tailor every treatment step to your needs after carefully considering your health, medications and allergies. Your radiation oncologist will prescribe daily treatments, starting with one to five days and sometimes lasting up to 10 weeks.
To make your treatments more comfortable, you’ll be fitted with a custom-made pillow. We also use preventive medicines to help minimize side effects from radiation, such as fatigue, sensitive skin or nausea. Whatever you may need to support your whole health between and during treatments, our nutritionists, counselors and spiritual advisors are available to help in every way they can.
Radiation Oncology 2020
Florida Hospital Radiation Oncology SPANISH VERSION
Beyond Radiation Therapy
Surgery
While radiation therapy can be used instead of surgery, your doctor may recommend both, depending on your diagnosis and general health.
Chemotherapy
Using a combination of specialized drugs, chemotherapy has the power to slow down or destroy the growth of cancer cells. It may be used in combination with radiation therapy and/or surgery.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy works to target cancer by training your own immune system to attack harmful cells, and often makes your radiation treatment even more successful.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine takes a holistic approach to your overall health, often working hand-in-hand with traditional medicine to treat not just your body but your spirit. Our naturopathic doctor will work alongside your care team to recommend additional therapies to support your current treatment plan, address side effects and help you regain strength and stamina.