Radiation Oncology Program

We offer advanced approaches in radiation therapy that aim to precisely target cancer cells – without harming surrounding tissue. These advanced approaches are part of the compassionate, expert cancer care we provide close to home for families in Bellevue, Kirkland and the surrounding areas. 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, our team at Overlake Cancer Center is here for you. As one of the most common cancer treatments, radiation therapy is used in more than half of all cancer cases. And we use some of the most advanced approaches in radiation therapy, so you can receive faster, more precise treatments with fewer side effects.

Conditions We Treat

We treat all types of cancer including:

• Bladder and urinary tract cancers.
• Breast cancer.
• Cervical cancer.
• Central nervous system cancers.
• Colorectal cancer.
• Endometrial cancer.
• Esophageal cancer.
• Head and neck cancers.
• Hepatobiliary cancers.
• Kidney cancer.
• Lung cancer.
• Lymphomas.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Pancreatic cancers.
• Prostate cancer.
• Skin cancers.
• Stomach cancer.
• Testicular cancer.
• Uterine cancer.

Radiation Treatments and Services

Radiation is a type of cancer therapy that damages or destroys cancer cells by using powerful, targeted beams of energy. Radiation may be used:

• As the only treatment for cancer, or along with chemotherapy and other therapies as part of cancer treatment.
• Before surgery to help shrink a tumor, or after surgery to help make sure all of the cancer cells are gone.
• To shrink tumors to relieve pain or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Most patients who need radiation treatment will have treatments daily. The overall duration of treatment will be dependent on the cancer type. Radiation is typically an outpatient treatment, which means that patients go home after their appointment and do not need to stay overnight at the hospital.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation is the most common type of radiation therapy. It uses a high-energy X-rays (photons) to precisely target cancer cells while minimizing damage to the surrounding areas. External beam radiation therapies include:

• 3D Conformal: Where the radiation oncologist shapes the radiation beam to match the shape of the tumor. They use multiple beams to increase the amount of radiation to the tumor and limit the dose to surrounding healthy tissue.
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): This is an advanced form of external beam radiation therapy that can more accurately target the tumor and can minimize radiation outside of the target. This modality can help to lower the dose to surrounding healthy tissue.
• Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): This is an approach where doctors take X-rays, or CT scans, before radiation to help precisely target the tumor with radiation.
• Respiratory Gating: Gating is a system that tracks a patient's normal breathing motion. Doctors can track a patient's breathing and apply radiation during certain parts of the breathing cycle. This can help localized lung tumors and help spare the lung and heart for treatments to the breast/thorax.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): SRS is used to treat brain tumors and other abnormalities in the brain. This approach allows doctors to deliver a high dose to a very specific area. This can help preserve critical parts of the brain like the brainstem and optic nerve. Patients typically require fewer treatments with this type of radiation therapy. 
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Similar to SRS, SBRT administers high doses of radiation to a specific location. SRS is for the brain, while SBRT is used for other parts of the body. At Overlake, we often use this therapy for lung tumors and some types of bone cancer.

A Compassionate Care Team by Your Side

Our radiation oncologists are not only experts in their field — they deeply care about their patients and their health. Our patients often tell us that they appreciate our smaller hospital system, where their doctors are easily accessible and they can get their questions answered quickly. This helps explain why our patient satisfaction scores are consistently above average.

Advanced Treatment Options, Close to Home on the Eastside

At Overlake, you’ll have access to some of the latest treatment options that aim to target cancer cells as precisely as possible, and keep them from coming back. Radiation therapy typically requires daily treatments over the course of several days to several weeks. Having access to leading-edge radiation options on the Eastside is a big benefit to many of our patients, who are grateful to receive these daily treatments without commuting to downtown Seattle. 

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