Radiation-oncology is the branch of medicine that provides consultation and radiation therapy services in many areas of oncology (cancer treatment).  Radiation is a high-energy beam of x-rays focused on a specific area to destroy abnormal cells (such as a tumor), while making every effort to preserve healthy tissue.  In many cases, radiation therapy is the single best method for the treatment and cure of cancer. At times, it is combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy to achieve the best results. Radiation is also used to reduce pressure or control bleeding and pain in cancer patients.

UPH radiation-oncologists provide a full complement of radiation services.  They are the only radiation-oncologists in Southern Arizona to offer GliaSite® brain tumor therapy and perform Stereotactic Radiosurgery.  

Special Programs

Steroetactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive procedure that delivers a precise, single dose of high-energy radiation to a tumor.  Although it is called surgery, there is actually no incision and it is often an outpatient procedure, eliminating the complications and substantial recovery time associated with traditional surgery.  

GliaSite® Radiation Therapy System (RTS) is a new device that treats brain tumors from within the cavity created by the surgical removal of a tumor.  GliaSite® delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tissue surrounding the original cancer site, where tumors are most likely to recur.  This treatment minimizes radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue. 

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is one of the most technologically advanced radiation techniques available, allowing for very precise targeting of cancer.  One large radiation beam is broken into thousands of radiation beamlets that penetrate tumors from many different angles and with precise accuracy. Using IMRT, radiation-oncologists can maximize the radiation dose while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. 

Prostate Seed Implants are very small radioactive seeds, roughly the size of a grain of rice, which emit a low dose of radiation.  The permanently implanted seeds kill cancer cells directly in the prostate, but do not affect the rest of the body. 

Support Groups
 
Breast and Gynecological Cancers Support Group
Every Friday from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Arizona Cancer Center, Room 3978

Leukemia, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and Myeloma Support Group
Second Monday of each month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Arizona Cancer Center, Room 2920
Phone: (520) 694-5126

Living with Cancer
Every Thursday from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Arizona Cancer Center, Room 3968
Phone: (520) 694-5138

Prostate Cancer Support Group (and wives’ group at the same time)
First and third Tuesday of each month from 2:00pm to 3:45pm
Arizona Cancer Center, Room 2920
Phone: (520) 694-5138