Mary Bridge Children’s offers radiation therapy through MultiCare Regional Cancer Center. We use advanced radiation technology that is only available in a few hospitals statewide.
Our board-certified radiation oncologists understand the unique challenges of treating cancer in children. Families rely on Mary Bridge Children’s, part of MultiCare, to deliver effective treatment right in your community, so your child spends less time traveling and more time at home or school.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy that travels throughout the entire body, radiation therapy targets individual tumors.
The typical course of radiation involves receiving treatments Monday through Friday for four to seven weeks. During the treatment, your child must lie still on a table while the radiation oncologist aims the machine at the tumors. Each radiation therapy session may last up to 30 minutes.
Types of radiation therapy
Depending on the type and location of tumors, your child’s specialists may prescribe one of several types of radiation therapy:
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Stereotactic radiosurgery is not really surgery. Rather, it’s a form of radiation therapy that uses 3-D computer imaging to attack tumors and lesions in the brain and other areas of the body with an extremely precise dose of radiation. .
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT is an advanced technology using multiple small beams of varied strength to deliver high-precision radiation. This helps deliver just the right amount of radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). For IGRT, we take images before each session to ensure a high degree of precision when aiming the radiation beams. Specialists often use IGRT for tumors that occur close to sensitive organs.
Radiation therapy side effects
Radiation therapy aims to kill only cancer cells, but this treatment can cause damage to surrounding tissues. Potential side effects can vary based on the specific area of the body and may include:
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Skin changes
- Difficulty eating
Your child’s radiation oncologist will provide detailed information on what to expect, as well as how you can help manage any side effects your child experiences.
Comprehensive radiation therapy support
We understand that cancer treatment is one of the most difficult challenges a family can face. At Mary Bridge Children’s, you have an entire group of experts working together on your child’s recovery, including:
- A sedation services team who attends radiation sessions as needed to provide anesthesia for your child’s comfort
- Child life specialists who explain treatment in child-friendly language while helping distract and entertain children during difficult procedures
- Psychologists to help your child cope emotionally with cancer
- Neuropsychologists to evaluate children at risk of learning problems after cancer treatment
- Dietitians to help your child get proper nutrition to support treatment and recovery
- Nurse navigators and social workers to help guide you through the medical process and make sure your family’s needs are met
Our location
Pediatric radiation oncology services are provided in the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital.
MultiCare Radiation Oncology
1003 S. 5th St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Phone: 253-403-4994
We're here for you.
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone during your child’s treatment. For more information about radiation therapy, please call 253-403-4994.