How Next-Gen Radiation Therapy Made All the Difference for Stacy

You know your body best. When something doesn’t feel right, or symptoms just won’t go away, your determination to find answers — and choosing a medical team that will do the same — can make a world of difference for your whole health.

Keep reading to learn more about Stacy Spreadbury’s story of trusting her instincts, finding the right specialists at AdventHealth and the tailor-made therapy that made her treatment faster, smoother and more comfortable.

Stacy’s Journey to an Accurate Cancer Diagnosis

When Palm Bay local Stacy Spreadbury was struggling with swallowing issues and hoarseness in 2023, she underwent a computed tomography scan and even saw an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, but both evaluations showed nothing out of the ordinary. Still, something was off, and she knew she needed to dive deeper.

In the summer of 2025, Stacy got COVID-19 and noticed her left lymph node remained swollen after the illness passed. She listened to her instincts and then went back to her ENT provider, who did a biopsy of the node to check for anything that might have been missed.

“The biopsy came back as stage I squamous cell carcinoma in the left tonsil and lymph node, and that’s how I found out I had cancer,” Stacy says. “It was a long journey to get to that diagnosis — about a year and a half ­— because it was so small that it wasn’t showing up on any of the tests.”

Finding Her AdventHealth Team

After her biopsy results, Stacy asked for a referral to an ENT specialist within the AdventHealth network, even though it meant a long drive up the coast to get care. “At AdventHealth, my new ENT provider did a biopsy on my throat just to confirm the cancer before I took any next steps,” she says. “She was fabulous; she walked me through all of my options.”

As soon as her diagnosis was confirmed, Stacy wanted to find an oncologist who would be the best fit, and her path led her to AdventHealth Daytona Beach radiation oncologist Shiv Chetan Desai, MD. “Dr. Desai himself came highly recommended, but really, the therapist, the staff and his entire office were exceptional,” she says. Stacy told her primary care provider that that’s who she wanted to see for her radiation therapy, so she could feel confident she was in the best hands.

Smooth and Supported Radiation Therapy With Dr. Desai

Under the guidance of Dr. Desai and his dedicated team, Stacy underwent radiation therapy for about six weeks, and she never had to wonder what was next. “What mattered most to me about the whole experience was that all my questions were answered,” she says. “Having cancer is scary. Having to get treatment is scary. But the team helped me understand the steps I could take to have the best outcome possible.”

Skin Care During Radiation

One of those important steps Stacy took was skin care. Having very fair skin and easily getting sunburned, Stacy spoke with Dr. Desai before beginning radiation to help prevent skin damage. “He made sure to talk through my options with me to protect my skin during treatment, and the StrataXRT gel was the one I chose,” she says. “I didn’t have any issues with it, not even a single radiation burn, and it was because of him and his team listening to me and making sure I was taken care of.”

Unwavering Support for Unique Symptoms

Given the location of her cancer, Stacy couldn’t taste a lot of foods, so having the guidance of a dietitian during treatment was an extra layer of support. “They helped me understand what to do to maintain my weight and gain weight, too. For every bit of what I had to go through, they made sure I had answers for all of it,” Stacy says.

A Team That Puts You First

With a busy work life, Stacy appreciated how Dr. Desai and his team consistently made time for her. “I have meetings all day long, so I know how hard it is to have to take time out of your day,” she says. “Not only did the radiation team make time for me, but they even adjusted their schedules so that I could have radiation first thing in the morning, get back to my job during the day and not miss any work.”

Next-Generation Technology for Greater Peace of Mind

When it comes to cancer, having access to the latest treatments and advanced technologies can give you the assurance you need to face the future with hope. Determined to get the most leading-edge care available, Stacy chose to go outside of her insurance network, driving almost two hours up the coast from her Palm Bay home to undergo Ethos™ adaptive radiation therapy with Dr. Desai.

Previously only available at major academic centers, this new, state-of-the-art technology is now part of the AdventHealth network of care. With the Ethos system, providers can target cancer cells with greater precision than ever before while protecting healthy tissue. “Having this technology at AdventHealth Daytona Beach reflects our commitment to make high-quality care easier to access, and to make radiation therapy smoother and easier for our patients,” Dr. Desai says.

As people go through radiation, tumors can shrink, and healthy tissues and organs can move and shift. The Ethos system can adjust in real time, using precise contouring capabilities to adapt to subtle shifts in tumor and organ position and target the cancer with unmatched accuracy.

“Adaptive radiotherapy is like tailoring a suit — not once, but every day,” says Dr. Desai. This kind of real-time fine-tuning goes a long way toward healing, he affirms. “Small, daily adjustments help keep the dose locked on target while keeping the healthy surrounding tissue safe,” he says.

Plus, therapy with the Ethos system is fast. With conventional radiation therapy, patients might spend a substantial amount of time in a machine, which can add stress on top of treatment. Adaptive radiation therapy sessions typically take about 15 minutes, start to finish.

Ultimately, this advanced technology means a better quality of life during treatment for cancer patients like Stacy. “It helps people not feel so scared because it’s just so quick, and there aren’t as many side effects, either. I’m beyond grateful for that,” she says.

Today, Stacy’s leading a fulfilling life in Palm Bay and has a follow-up PET scan soon. “Since her cancer is stage I, her prognosis is excellent,” Dr. Desai says. Stacy’s looking forward to good news in the months ahead and is forever grateful for the care she received from Dr. Desai and his team.

Here to Guide You Toward Renewed Hope

While we’re honored to offer next-generation cancer treatment like the Ethos system at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, our greatest reward is seeing patients like Stacy thrive. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer and wants to talk through your options, we invite you to learn more about our cancer care. Our experienced and compassionate team will be with you at every step, from treatment to recovery and beyond.