At Tanner Cancer Care, our experts in radiation oncology use focused, high-energy X-rays to destroy the DNA in cancer cells with unprecedented precision. This prevents cancer cells from growing so your tumor shrinks. Radiation therapy can: Reduce the size of a tumor before your surgeon removes it Kill any remaining tumor cells following surgery Shrink a tumor that is causing symptoms, like pain Unlike chemotherapy, which affects your whole body, radiation therapy is a localized treatment; it only affects the area where the cancer is. After a cancer diagnosis, our radiation oncology team will work with you and your doctor to develop your personalized treatment plan for radiation therapy. Learn more about our cancer care services. Learn more Find a radiation-oncology specialist. Learn about different types of radiation therapy. For Providers Refer a patient to a radiation-oncology specialist. Refer now