Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancers and some benign conditions. Radiation can be administered in several different ways, the most common being through high energy x-rays.

A tumor is a growth or swelling on the surface of or inside the body. Tumors may be benign or malignant. Most benign, or non-cancerous tumors need only simple treatment which sometimes includes radiation therapy.

Malignant tumors or cancers cause problems by growth or spread within the body. They must be treated promptly to prevent further growth and spread. Radiation therapy works by killing cancer cells and preventing them from reproducing and creating new cancer cells. The growth of tumor can be slowed and in many cases, completely stopped. Depending on the type of cancer, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, or medications (chemotherapy, immunotherapy).

View Froedtert Hospital Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment for more information

Clinical Research Studies

If you are interested in learning more about clinical research studies available through the Department of Radiation Oncology, please call (414) 805-4377. For more information on clinical trials offered through the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center, call (414) 805-3666 or (800) 272-3666.