Radiation Therapy
Important Update: UNC Health Cancer
UNC Health has established UNC Health Cancer, a unified Oncology Service Line, to strengthen and expand cancer care across North Carolina. As part of this effort, radiation oncology services in Clayton and Smithfield will transition to UNC Health Johnston on July 1, 2026.
This change brings a more coordinated, system-wide approach to oncology care while maintaining seamless access for patients and referring providers.
- Same care team, same access: Patients will continue seeing their same providers at the same locations, with no change to participating insurance plans.
- Clinic name updates: Locations and services will now operate under UNC Health Johnston Radiation Oncology, a hospital department of UNC Health Johnston
- Coordinated, comprehensive care: A unified approach across multiple locations ensures smooth communication, continuity and full support for patients and referring providers.
- Financial navigation support: Patients can contact Oncology Financial Navigators at 984-974-5668 for help in understanding any billing or cost changes.
True Beam
UNC Health Johnston Radiation Oncology in Clayton has just commissioned a TrueBeam® system for image-guided radiotherapy from Varian Medical Systems and the office will re-open on July 1, 2026.
Varian is the world leader in radiotherapy technology for cancer. The TrueBeam system provides a level of precision and power that enables design of optimal treatment approaches to many types of cancer, including even challenging cases. With this system, we can offer a wide variety of treatment modalities, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), and RapidArc® radiotherapy, a form of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). It’s all made possible by the TrueBeam system’s ability to automatically synchronize imaging, beam shaping, and dose delivery, while performing accuracy checks every ten milliseconds throughout the entire treatment.
The system also has enhanced imaging tools, which can generate high-quality 3-D images of the tumor and surrounding anatomy that our clinicians can view in real time and use to enhance treatment precision.
Get radiation therapy tailored to your needs and schedule at UNC Health Johnston. You can stay near home in Clayton or Smithfield for the latest technology.
What is Radiation Treatment?
Radiation kills cancer tumors by using high-energy waves you can’t see or feel. At UNC Health Johnston, a linear accelerator sends beams of radiation into your body as you lie on a table. This machine can treat cancer almost anywhere in your body.
Trust your care team to use advanced technology that makes treatment more effective and limits side effects.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
IMRT adjusts the radiation dose to match the exact shape of your tumor. The radiation beam may rotate around you to get the best angle. This means more radiation can go to your tumor, and less goes to surrounding healthy organs.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
IGRT uses images taken of your tumor before and sometimes during radiation treatment. Your care team compares these images to older images to see if your tumor has moved. If it has changed position, your radiation team will adjust treatment to target the cancer better.
You may benefit from IGRT especially if your tumor is in the lungs or another area that moves as you breathe.
Certified Radiation Experts
Rest assured you’ll be in the qualified hands of:
- Board-certified radiation oncologists (cancer doctors) from UNC Rex Healthcare
- Certified medical dosimetrist (optimizes your radiation dose)
- Certified radiation therapists (provide the treatment)
- Medical physicist (evaluates and monitors your treatment)
- Oncology Certified Nurses (caregivers with advanced training in cancer)
Your Comfort During Treatment
Ask your care team members for help relaxing during radiation therapy. They can provide warm blankets and recommend comfortable positions for your treatment sessions. After treatment, enjoy refreshments at the coffee bars in our radiation oncology locations.
Brachytherapy
In some cases, your doctor may recommend brachytherapy (internal radiation). This type of treatment places tiny radioactive pellets in or near a tumor in the prostate, breast, or another organ. If you need this therapy, we’ll help you get care at UNC Health Cancer Care, A Service of UNC Hospitals (Radiation Oncology)- Raleigh Cancer Center.
