Radiation Oncology

Patient Resources

Appointment New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8525

At UT Southwestern, we take pride in offering one of the most advanced radiation oncology centers in the country. Our mission is to provide an individualized care plan tailored to your specific cancer and personal needs, including innovative techniques such as adaptive therapy, which adjusts radiation treatments to the tumor's shape and position during therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and kill cancer cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissue, delivered by a dedicated team of physicians, physicists, and therapists.

Learn what to expect during your visits to the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Your Care Team and Process Overview

From your initial consultation to the completion of your treatment, a multidisciplinary team will support you every step of the way. Your physician will review your medical history, perform an examination, and discuss a personalized treatment plan, including the type of radiation and its benefits and risks. This is followed by a simulation session, where CT or MRI scans are taken to plan your treatment. Radiation therapists ensure precise positioning and provide guidance on preparation. Nurses are available during consultations and treatments to manage side effects and answer questions, while dosimetrists create detailed radiation delivery plans tailored to your needs.

Comprehensive Support During Treatment

During your treatment, radiation therapists will guide you through each session, ensuring your comfort and safety. The process is painless, and the radiation disperses upon leaving your body, allowing you to return to your daily activities without restrictions. Our dietitians offer nutritional guidance to help you maintain strength and manage side effects, while social workers provide emotional and practical support to address any challenges you may face.

Innovative Research and Exceptional Care

UT Southwestern’s Department of Radiation Oncology is also at the forefront of cancer research, enrolling over 170 patients annually in clinical trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional care with compassion and precision and is always just a phone call or message away for any questions or concerns you may have.

We are committed to delivering the highest standard of care and will be there for you every step of the way.

Resources by Type of Cancer

Other conditions treated with radiation:

Frequently Asked Questions About Radiation Therapy

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors by damaging their DNA. If the cancer cell’s DNA is damaged beyond repair, it stops dividing and/or slowly starts dying. The cancer cells take days or weeks to die and will continue to do so after radiation treatment is over. 

There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam and internal beam (brachytherapy).

What does radiation do to cancer?

When given in high doses, radiation slows the growth or kills cancer cells. At times, radiation is also used to treat symptoms caused by a tumor. 

How long does radiation therapy take to work?

It can take several days or weeks of treatment for cancer cells to start dying or shrinking. The cells continue to die for weeks/months after treatment has stopped.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Everyone responds a little differently to radiation treatment. Some people have few side effects at all, while others have more. In part, it depends on what part of the body is receiving radiation. The most common side effect is fatigue. Other side effects include skin changes, swelling, mouth or taste changes, and stomach disturbances.  

Does radiation hurt?

No. Radiation treatment itself doesn’t hurt. It’s similar to getting an X-ray. 

Who decides how much radiation to give?

A patient's radiation oncologist will determine the dose of radiation and how frequently they’ll receive treatment.

What if the radiation hits healthy tissue?

Our technology allows us great precision when targeting tumors and our team works very carefully to spare surrounding healthy tissue during treatment. In addition, we look at spreading out treatments and balancing high enough doses of radiation to kill cancer cells, while limiting damage to healthy cells.

However, should healthy tissue receive radiation, it almost always recovers after treatment.

How do you know that a patient is in the right position for treatment?

To ensure proper positioning and provide support a patient may be set up with different “immobilization devices” for treatment. These devices are specific to the area being treated and may include custom molds under parts of the body, masks to hold the head, or other simple tools to assist with keeping the hands, arms, or legs in the best place for safe and accurate treatment.

What is total body irradiation?

Total body irradiation (TBI) is when radiation is given to the entire body. It is primarily given in preparation for bone marrow transplantation. What to expect with TBI. (Spanish)

What happens when radiation treatments are done?

After a patient has completed all their treatments, they will need regular check-ups so the doctor can see how well the treatment worked and check for any late side effects (side effects that present themselves six months or longer after treatment). In addition, patients will be able to ask questions and talk about any concerns. 

Simulation Visit

Aurelie Garant, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of Brachytherapy Program, discusses what you can expect during your simulation visit prior to your radiation treatments.

Treatment Machines

Prep and During Treatment

Side Effects

Nutrition Resources

Introduction to Support Services at Simmons Cancer Center

Support Services

Imerman Angels

In conjunction with the Cancer Center, we are happy to announce a unique program for our patients. The Imerman Angels program partners individuals seeking cancer support with a "mentor angel." Whether you are a current cancer fighter, survivor, or caregiver, they team you up with one-on-one support. Learn more about Imerman Angels