Compassionate Care

Over half of all cancer patients receive some radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, as part of their treatment. Considered the treatment of choice in most skin cancers, radiotherapy can also be effective in certain stages of cervical, uterine, breast and prostate cancer, and in some types of leukemia and lymphoma. In addition, radiation may be used in conjunction with cancer-fighting drugs or to alleviate cancer symptoms.

Radiation Therapy at Mercy Medical Center offers patients state-of-the-art treatment from a staff of experienced radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists and dosimetrists. Under the direction of Edward J. Walsh, M.D., boardcertified specialist in Radiation Oncology, Mercy’s Radiation Therapy Department is accredited by the American College of Radiology and part of the Mercy Cancer Center, an accredited Comprehensive Hospital Community Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) Commission on Cancer.

FRIENDLY, CARING ATMOSPHERE
In the spirit of Mercy's mission, Radiation Therapy actively promotes a friendly, caring atmosphere. Patients are encouraged to express their needs and concerns and be assured that staff members will listen and respond promptly and with consideration. Minimizing patient anxiety and wait time are also important goals in Radiation Therapy. A recent time study demonstrated all patients received treatment within 10 minutes of their scheduled appointment and many patients started treatment before their actual appointment time.

HOW IT WORKS
Radiation is administered either externally, through a beam that delivers radiation with pinpoint accuracy, or increasingly by internal radiation, called brachytherapy. New research has focused on using special cells within the body to deliver radiation therapy directly to the cancer site.


SAFER, MORE EFFECTIVE
Thanks to major technological advances over the past decade, coupled with a better understanding of how cancer cells function, radiotherapy is safer and more effective than ever. Mercy’s Radiation Therapy Department offers IMRT, Varian Linear Accelerator and ACQSim CT Simulation System within its own facility, allowing optimal patient positioning, more precise radiation aim, and reduction of damage to healthy tissue.

ANOTHER STARK COUNTY FIRST
Mercy Cancer Center's Radiation Therapy Department continues to offer state-ofthe- art treatment from experienced radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists and dosimetrists.

Mercy recently installed Stark County’s first Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) unit. IMRT gives physicians a definite advantage against certain types of cancer by targeting malignant tumors while sparing adjacent healthy tissue.

For more information about Mercy’s
Radiation Therapy Department, call
(330) 489-1278.