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A radiation oncology referral can feel like one more thing on a long list. You may still be processing test results, conversations about surgery, or a chemotherapy plan. We can help you sort through what radiation might mean and what your next visits should look like.
At Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers (ACTC) in Brooksville, our radiation oncology team treats cancer with carefully planned, focused radiation. We work alongside your other doctors so the plan fits together. Patients come from Brooksville, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, and Ridge Manor.
A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor who decides whether radiation belongs in your plan, designs the treatment if it does, and oversees every step. Radiation works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which makes it harder for them to divide and grow.
Most of the work happens before any beam is turned on. Your radiation oncologist will:
Our radiation oncologist coordinates with your medical oncology team and your outside surgeon when both are part of your plan. Surgery happens outside ACTC, and we organize the radiation piece around what your surgeon recommends.
Radiation can play several roles, and the role usually shapes the schedule and goals. Your team may recommend radiation:
Whether radiation fits depends on the type of cancer, where it sits, nearby tissues, your overall health, and the goals you and your doctors agree on.
The visits before your first treatment do most of the planning work. None of them involve receiving radiation.
Consultation. You meet with our radiation oncologist, with a caregiver along if you want one. Expect a records review, a focused exam, and a conversation about whether radiation is recommended. Bring a medication list, prior imaging, and your questions.
Simulation. If you move forward, the next visit is a planning scan called simulation. You lie in the position you will be in for treatment so the team can map the area. A computed tomography (CT) scan is typically used, and small skin marks may help line you up consistently.
Treatment planning. Your team uses the scans to design a plan that targets the cancer while protecting nearby healthy tissue. Our in-house computed tomography (CT) imaging and 4D CT planning system support this locally, with mobile positron emission tomography (PET) imaging when needed.
You may have heard both terms: a CT scan and a PET scan answer different questions, and your team will explain which one fits.
The first session can feel intimidating until you have walked through it once. Most patients then settle into a rhythm.
A typical external beam session takes about 10 to 30 minutes, and most of that is positioning, not the beam itself. The team lines you up using the simulation marks, then steps out and watches on monitors while talking with you over an intercom.
You will not feel the beam. The machine may move around you and make humming or clicking sounds. If a position is uncomfortable, speak up so the team can adjust.
External beam radiation is usually outpatient care, often Monday through Friday for several weeks. Some plans are shorter, including single-session palliative treatments.
Patients most often hear about two main types of radiation. Knowing the difference helps when your team explains your plan.
Some cancers use systemic radiation, a medicine containing a small amount of radioactive material that travels through the body. Your team will explain it in detail if it applies.
Side effects depend on the treatment area, the dose, your overall health, and your other treatments. Radiation is local, so side effects usually focus on the treated area rather than the whole body. Common patterns include:
Healthy cells damaged by radiation usually recover within a few months, though some effects may appear months or years later. For chest-area plans, ask about ways to protect your heart, and broader strategies to cope with side effects can help you stay ahead.
Writing your questions down makes the conversation easier when emotions run high.
If costs are weighing on you, our financial counselors can help you understand coverage and out-of-pocket costs. They counsel on coverage rather than file appeals, and can point you toward the next step if a claim is denied.
Some symptoms during radiation are uncomfortable but routine. A small number need immediate emergency response. Call 911 first for:
Once you are safe, let our team know what happened so we can adjust your care.
Call our care team the same day for fevers, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, severe pain at the treatment site, worsening skin breakdown, or any side effect that feels new or different. We would rather hear from you early than have you wait.
Choosing a place for radiation comes down to two questions: is it the right care, and can you get there week after week. Our 21,000-square-foot facility on Cortez Boulevard was designed for both.
Surgery and stem-cell or bone-marrow transplants happen outside ACTC, and lung-cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is handled through primary care. We will tell you which steps happen here and which happen elsewhere.
Will I be radioactive after radiation therapy?
No. After external beam radiation, you are not radioactive and there are no precautions for being around family, children, or pregnant family members. Some types of internal radiation involve temporary precautions while a source is active.
Is radiation oncology painful?
No. You do not feel the external beam itself. Some patients feel discomfort from holding a treatment position, and side effects like skin irritation or fatigue can build over time.
Which is harder on the body, chemotherapy or radiation?
It varies. Many drug therapies affect the whole body, while radiation is usually focused on one area, so the side effects feel different rather than always being harder or easier.
What are the worst side effects of radiation therapy?
It varies by treatment area. The risks that matter most depend on whether radiation is aimed at the brain, breast, chest, head and neck, abdomen, or pelvis, plus your dose and overall health.
Can I keep working and driving during treatment?
Often, yes. Many patients keep working, and most can drive to and from external beam visits. Fatigue may build over time, and plans involving sedation will need a driver.
Do I need a referral to come to ACTC?
It depends on your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral; others do not. Call us and we can help you check before your first visit.
At ACTC in Florida, our doctors bring both expertise and compassion to every patient interaction. We design personalized treatment plans based on the latest research, always keeping your comfort and well-being in mind.
Meet our specialists:
MD, Hematology & Oncology
MD, Radiation Oncologist
You’ll receive care from a team that stays with you through every step—from initial consult to long-term follow-up—at one trusted location.
A new conversation about radiation is rarely just clinical. It comes mixed with worry, logistics, and questions you may not have words for yet. You do not have to sort it all out alone.
Call 352-345-4565 or visit https://actchealth.com/appointment, and our radiation oncology team in Brooksville will help you map the next step.
352-345-4565
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15211 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida 34613