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If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, radiation therapy may be recommended as part of your treatment. When cancerous cells are exposed to radiation, they sustain permanent damage to their DNA. This damage prevents the cells from spreading and can ultimately cause them to die. When the cells die, the tumors shrink, and symptoms may also diminish as a result.

Radiation therapy can be delivered in two main ways: from a source outside the body (external beam radiation therapy) or from a pellet implanted in the thoracic cavity (brachytherapy, or internal radiotherapy). Both delivery methods are frequently used in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Some patients with mesothelioma receive radiation therapy before or after other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. Other patients, such as those who are not good candidates for surgery or do not want to have chemotherapy, may use radiation therapy as their primary treatment.

At Moffitt Cancer Center, our Radiation Oncology Program works hand in hand with the mesothelioma experts of our Thoracic Oncology Program to provide patients with:

  • Individualized treatment plans that incorporate radiation therapy along with any other treatments that might be beneficial
  • Capable care from a team of skilled radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and other medical professionals who specialize in radiation therapy for mesothelioma
  • Access to the latest radiation therapy delivery methods, including technologies such as Trilogy, Truebeam, Novalis, Oncor and Clinac
  • The best possible outcomes with the least possible discomfort

No referral is required to make an appointment with Moffitt's Radiation Oncology Program or Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center. Call 1-888-663-3488, or submit a new patient registration form, and we’ll schedule a time for you to meet with one of our skilled oncologists.