How Radiation Works

Click here for a 1 1/2 minute narrated virtual tour of Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy is the treatment of illness through the use of a source of radiation. The radiation sources used in radiation therapy are similar to X-rays used to detect a broken leg, a tooth cavity or pneumonia. You cannot feel, hear, smell or taste these X-rays of energy (radiation). The radiation sources used in treating illnesses are X-rays, gamma rays and electrons. The amount of radiation given during each radiation treatment is greater than the amount given for diagnostic studies.

Cells are the building blocks of the human body. Each body tissue and body organ is made up of billions of cells working together so each body system can function in a normal, useful way. Certain illnesses, such as cancer, begin because changes occur in the cells of the body that cause them to act in an abnormal way. Cancer cells are not normal cells, therefore, they do not function as they should. They serve no useful purpose in the human body.

There are different cancers, and each behaves differently. Radiation therapy is one of several methods used in cancer treatment. Radiation therapy attempts to destroy the abnormal cancer cells present in a particular part of the body. It can be used alone in the treatment of some cancers or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Regardless of the method used, the purpose of all cancer treatment is to rapidly destroy the cancer cells present in the body.

Click here to access the website RT Answers - Answers to your radiation therapy questions.

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Muncie location:

The Cancer Center
at Ball Memorial Hospital
2401 W. University Ave.
Muncie, IN 47303

Patient parking is conveniently located off the intersection at Celia and Gilbert streets.

• Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
  
• Phone number is (765) 747-3148
  
• For emergencies or to reach a physician after hours or on weekends, call (765) 747-3148. The number is an answering service that will have our physician return your call. Please call (765) 747-3662 if you are unable to reach someone at the above number.
  

New Castle location:

The Ball Cancer Center

at Forest Ridge in New Castle
2200 Forest Ridge Parkway, Suite 120
New Castle, IN 47362

• Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Phone number is (765) 593-2960
• For emergencies or to reach a physician after hours or on weekends, call (800) 872-0420. The number is an answering service that will have our physician return your call. Please call (765) 747-3662 if you are unable to reach someone at the above number.

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The Cancer Center

at

Ball Memorial Hospital

2401 W. University Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303

(765) 751-1449