What Is Radiation Oncology? Dr. Bradley Huth Explains Radiation Therapy for Cancer

Summary Paragraph

Radiation therapy offers targeted ways to destroy cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. Dr. Bradley Huth explains what radiation therapy is, how it works and what patients and families should expect throughout treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Radiation oncologists are clinical physicians who treat cancer using targeted radiation.
• Most treatments cause no discomfort and are completed in a short amount of time.
• Caregivers help most by sharing concerns early and advocating for their loved ones.

Understanding Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is a key component of many cancer treatment plans. Bradley Huth, MD, a Radiation Oncologist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, works with patients across Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and the Greater Cincinnati region to deliver personalized radiation therapy in a supportive and streamlined environment.

What Is a Radiation Oncologist and What Do They Do?

Dr. Huth describes his work as hands-on, patient‑focused care. “As a clinical doctor, my work focuses on caring for people, most of whom are living with cancer,” he says. “My tool for treating and caring for people is primarily radiation therapy.”

Radiation therapy uses targeted energy – most commonly X‑rays – to destroy cancer cells. These treatments are noninvasive, painless and usually completed within minutes. While some cancers require a technique that places a radioactive source inside or on a tumor, most treatments involve no incision or devices at all. “People often wonder if we even did anything because they don’t feel the radiation,” Huth shares.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work?

Radiation therapy treats cancer by delivering high‑energy beams into the body. “Most of what we do imparts energy through X‑rays into tissue,” Huth explains. Because the body is largely made of water, the energy interacts with the water molecules, exciting parts of the atomic structure and creating oxidative radicals that damage cancer cells.

Healthy cells can recognize this damage and repair themselves. Cancer cells cannot. “Cancer cells don’t look for damage,” Huth adds. “If they did, they’d probably self-destruct.” This difference allows radiation therapy to target tumors while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible.

What to Expect During Radiation Treatment

Radiation therapy is offered at three St. Elizabeth locations: Edgewood and Fort Thomas in Northern Kentucky and Greendale in Southeastern Indiana. Although each location is unique, Dr. Huth says the experience is similar. “The staff are extremely helpful. They will get you checked in and make sure your needs are taken care of,” he ensures.

Because many patients come for daily treatments over several weeks, efficiency is a priority. Most people are in the department for 30 to 40 minutes from check-in to departure.

Patients may change into a gown depending on the treatment area before being brought to a private waiting space. Next, the care team guides the patient into a specialized treatment room called a vault, where the radiation equipment is located. Staff help position the patient precisely on the treatment table before stepping out of the room. “There are cameras, microphones and speakers for communication,” Dr. Huth notes.

Once treatment begins, the machine rotates around the patient without ever touching them and makes a quiet whirring sound. Many people choose to listen to music while the radiation is delivered. The actual radiation delivery lasts three to four minutes, and most patients are on and off the table within 15 to 20 minutes. “Most of the time treatments are very brief and short,” he says.

How Can Caregivers Best Support Loved Ones Going Through Treatment?

Caregivers play an essential role in helping patients feel supported during radiation therapy. Dr. Huth says caregivers often notice changes before the patient is ready to speak up.

“Caretakers can help their loved ones by ratting them out,” Huth says. “A lot of times people want to be OK, and they don’t want to be a problem. They feel like if they have a need, it’s a bother, which is wrong! I wouldn’t be a doctor taking care of people if I felt like it was a bother to do it.”

Caregivers can act as an extra set of eyes and ears for the care team. Letting the team know about new or changing symptoms helps providers intervene early. That early action matters during cancer treatment when minor illnesses can quickly escalate. “I want people to let me know what’s going on – and that goes for the caregivers too,” says Dr. Huth.

What New Technologies or Techniques Does St. Elizabeth Offer?

St. Elizabeth provides a wide range of advanced radiation therapy options for patients with cancer. The precision of radiation treatment continues to improve. “We can treat very small tumors, very precisely, with one to two treatments, sparing lungs and decreasing the risk of side effects,” Huth explains. These techniques benefit patients with brain, lung, spine and bone tumors.

St. Elizabeth is also one of the few regional centers able to offer complex brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers, including both curative and recurrent cases. “Patients can receive all of their cancer care at St. Elizabeth and be sure they’ve gotten world-class treatment,” he says.”

When to Seek Care

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or are exploring treatment options, the St. Elizabeth Cancer Care team is here to guide you. Call (859) 301-4000 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online appointment request form.

Medically Reviewed by Bradley Huth, MD, on 5/20/26.