Vascular Anomalies Surgery (Abnormalities Involving Blood
Vessels) Radiation therapy is the use of special x-ray beams to
treat tumors. Some tumors respond well to this treatment, while
others do not. So it is not the right treatment choice for all
types of tumors. Radiation therapy is often used in combination
with surgery. Oncologists work together with radiation
oncologists at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis and United
Hospital in St. Paul. Together, they determine the exact
location of the tumor using CT and MRI scans. Then special
X-rays focused from several angles on and around the tumor are
used to destroy the remains of a tumor. The X-ray beams can
travel deep into tissue, through bone and other structures to
reach the tumor. The technology for radiation treatment has
changed remarkably in recent years. Because we can better target
the precise location of tumors, we are able to limit damage to
healthy areas close to the tumor. This means fewer side effects
from the treatment, both immediate and lon