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Learn more about Inova's radiation oncology services. 
Radiation oncology uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. These therapeutic X-rays are directed at the body from a machine and are known as external radiation. The energy may also come from an internal source such as radioactive "seeds" or wire that are placed near the cancer. This is known as internal radiation or brachytherapy. Radiation treatments are often used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.
External forms of radiation therapy
Inova Cancer Services offers the latest technologies to treat tumors. One type is known as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Another is image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). IGRT delivers precisely targeted radiation to tumors and reduces exposure to the surrounding healthy tissues. TomoTherapy™ and Trilogy™ are two examples of IGRT. Both allow surgeons to treat cancer conditions that were once considered "unapproachable" because they were near a vital organ or in a hard-to-reach area.
Trilogy is available at Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center. Inova Fairfax Hospital also offers RapidArc™ radiotherapy technology, which delivers treatments two to eight times faster and increases precision and patient comfort. TomoTherapy is available at Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center. IMRT and IGRT are also available at Mary Elizabeth Miller Radiation Oncology Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS/SBRT)
Stereotactic radiation therapy is a form of radiation therapy that delivers high dose radiation to a small, specific area, usually in the brain, lung or liver. Stereotactic radiation therapy uses high energy x-ray beam to shrink or manage the tumor by destroying the cells or by disrupting the cells from growing. This therapy is different from traditional radiation therapy as stereotactic radiation therapy excludes the surrounding normal tissues or organs better. Stereotactic Radiosurgery is available at Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center.
Internal radiation therapy
Radioactive seeds, small wires or catheters (a small thin flexible tube) can be implanted directly at the site of the tumor. The procedure spares surrounding healthy tissue and delivers a targeted, low-dose of radiation over an extended period of time. Common internal radiation treatments are prostate seed implants for prostate cancer and accelerated partial breast irradiation for early-stage breast cancer.
Locations
We are proud to offer many convenient locations to serve the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, metro area and beyond. Radiation oncology services are available at Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, Mary Elizabeth Miller Radiation Oncology Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital and, as a service of Inova Health System and Potomac Hospital, Potomac Radiation Oncology Center.
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