The Jim and Marianne Cook Radiation Oncology Department, located on the ground floor of the Payson Center for Cancer Care, houses two linear accelerators and a large bore ocology CT simulator. Radiation oncology services at the Payson Center are provided in partnership with Elliot Health System, with radiation oncologists from Radiation Oncology Associates PA providing the medical service.

Radiation oncology includes treatment planning and radiation therapy, which is the treatment of cancer using streams of particles called electrons. Because cancer cells grow and divide more rapidly than most normal cells, radiation therapy is effective in treating many types of cancer. Doctors plan the course of treatment to shield as much normal tissue as possible, while aiming the radiation at the site of the cancer.

Members of the radiation treatment team include:

Radiation oncologist: a physician specializing in treating cancer with radiation.

Dosimetrist: a person who plans and calculates the proper radiation dose for treatment using a therapy-planning computer.

Medical physicist: a person supervising the dosimetrist who ensures the linear accelerator delivers the right amount of radiation to the treatment site.

Radiation therapist: a person who positions the patient for treatment and operates the machine.

Radiation nurse: a registered nurse who coordinates care, helps the patient learn about radiation therapy and its side effects, monitors the side effects, and is a resource for both the patient and family.

Where Can I Find Out More?

Concord Hospital Cancer Information
Cancer Care Inc
Radiation Oncology Associates of NH
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Innisfree Cancer Help