Covenant Radiation Center

At the Covenant Radiation Center, we believe that the trust of our patients is our most valued possession. That’s why our staff and physicians are highly committed to maintaining a quality driven, state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility. We utilize the latest technology and advances in our field, including the country’s only Elekta Versa HD with cloud-based Brainlab/Exactrac (allowing us to target individual brain lesions and preserve healthy tissue). We’re also the only center in the region to offer Xofigo®, an injection used to treat bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients. 

In addition to keeping abreast of the latest developments and innovations in radiation oncology, we also work hard to maintain a caring and compassionate atmosphere. So our patients can get the extraordinary, advanced care they trust.

The Covenant Radiation Center has a highly-trained treatment team of experts including radiation oncologists, registered nurses, radiation therapists, a social worker, dietitians and support staff who provide specialize care for patients and their loved ones.

Visit the Covenant Radiation Center today at 4141 Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw (adjacent to the Covenant HealthCare Mackinaw Campus).

To learn more about the Covenant Radiation Center, refer to the information below or call us at 989.583.5250.

What is radiation oncology?

Radiation oncology uses x-rays, gamma rays and other forms of radiation to treat cancer. It is also called radiation therapy, and may sometimes be used to treat non-cancerous conditions as well. A linear accelerator, produces x-rays which pass through the body to the targeted area, while minimizing the dose to the skin and surrounding normal tissue.

Radiation is used to treat cancer because it destroys the ability of cells to grow and multiply. With careful targeting and dose, the radiation destroys cancer cells. However, radiation may also affect the surrounding healthy cells, which will recover and resume normal cell activity. Treatment will give the highest possible dose of radiation to the cancer area (within safe limits) to destroy the cancer. Your physician will discuss the possible side effects from treatment with you.

Most patients undergo radiation therapy once a day, five days per week, over a period lasting from two to ten weeks. The total time, beginning with your first and ending with your last session, is called a course of treatment.

Radiation can be given externally or internally. External radiation uses a machine like the linear accelerator to direct high-energy radiation beams to the cancer site. Machines called simulators and planning computers are used to prepare for this type of treatment.

For certain types of cancer, internal therapy may be used. This is called brachytherapy. This type of treatment can deliver higher doses to the tumor and less radiation to the normal tissue. This involves placing radioactive material (implants) near the cancer. This may require the source to be placed internally. Skin cancer can also be treated, externally, using brachytherapy and special applicators.

Other types of therapy include electrons, which may be used for the treatment of skin cancers and superficial lesions. This treatment is done on the linear accelerator and uses special applicators to deliver the dose.

 

If you are interested in helping us enhance the patient experience, please consider joining the Covenant Cancer Care Center Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). More information can be found on the PFAC page.