On Target
An RTAnswers Podcast for Cancer Patients A diagnosis of cancer can be frightening, stressful and confusing. This podcast series is meant to help patients and caregivers better understand what radiation therapy is, potential side effects, treatment types and what to expect before, during and after their treatment.
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Episodes

6 days ago
6 days ago
24 min
Three radiation oncologists, Malcolm Mattes, MD, Rutgers Cancer Institute; Debra Yeboa, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center; and Joseph Bovi, MD, ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center, discuss how radiation therapy is used to treat gliomas, the cancerous brain tumors that arise from glial cells. They walk through diagnosis and grading, the roles of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and how ASTRO wrote its new treatment guidelines. The conversation also covers treatment planning, side effects and the innovations shaping the future of glioma care.

Aug 11, 2026
Aug 11, 2026
1 hr 3 min
This podcast will provide a broad overview of the use of radiation therapy to treat gastric (stomach) cancer, highlighting ASTRO’s recently published guidelines on this topic. We will cover logistics of radiation therapy, how radiation is integrated with other gastric cancer treatment modalities, different radiation techniques, and side effects of treatment.

Jul 29, 2026
Jul 29, 2026
24 min
The podcast provides a broad overview of the use of brachytherapy for a variety of malignancies. Drs. Malcolm Mattes and Andrew Farach provide an overview on the logistics of brachytherapy, how it is integrated with other radiation modalities for common malignancies, and different types of applicators and techniques.

Jul 13, 2026
Jul 13, 2026
18 min
The podcast will provide a broad overview of the use of radiation therapy to treat lymphoma. We will cover logistics of radiation therapy, how radiation is integrated with other lymphoma treatment modalities, different radiation techniques, and side effects of treatment.

Jun 29, 2026
Jun 29, 2026
34 min
Radiation oncologists Dr. Jenna Kahn and Dr. Jill Remick discuss endometrial cancer diagnosis, staging and the role of radiation therapy after surgery. They explain the differences between external beam radiation and vaginal brachytherapy, what patients can expect during treatment and how side effects are managed.

Jun 16, 2026
Jun 16, 2026
22 min
The podcast will provide a broad overview of the use of radiation therapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and liver metastases. We will cover logistics of radiation therapy, how radiation is integrated with other treatment modalities, different radiation techniques, and side effects of treatment.

Jun 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
48 min
In part two of this prostate cancer series, Dr. Christian Okoye and Dr. Anesa Ahamad explain what patients can expect once radiation treatment begins. Topics include the wait between simulation and the first session, daily logistics, activities to maintain during treatment and common short- and long-term urinary, GI and sexual side effects. Listeners also hear about life after treatment and survivorship.

May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
28 min
In this joint ASTRO and AAPM episode of OnTarget, host Julianne Pollard Larkin, PhD, leads a conversation with medical physicists and physicians from radiology and radiation oncology. The panel demystifies imaging and therapy doses, contrast media safety, CT versus MRI, linear accelerators, treatment planning and when proton therapy or brachytherapy may be the right choice.

May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026
56 min
Radiation oncologists Dr. Christian Okoye and Dr. Anesa Ahamad discuss prostate cancer radiation therapy, covering consultation, PSA testing, and staging. Options include active surveillance, surgery, external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and SBRT—often delivered in just five sessions with cure rates rivaling surgery. High-risk patients add hormone therapy. MRI planning, rectal spacers, and molecular testing refine treatment for the best outcomes.

Apr 27, 2026
Apr 27, 2026
41 min
The podcast will provide a broad overview of the use of radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. We will cover logistics of radiation therapy, how radiation is integrated with other lung cancer treatment modalities, different radiation techniques, and side effects of treatment.

