Functional radiosurgery is among the latest technological advances to reduce pain for cancer patients at Ohio State. While radiation is an important part of treatment for many cancer patients, some can benefit from a more focused approach that eliminates the need for a larger surgical procedure. That focal dose, known as functional radiosurgery, can provide some of the same benefits as more invasive procedures while reducing associated pain, and in turn, the need for some types of medication. “Patients can experience tremendous improvement in the amount of pain, and as a consequence take much lower doses of narcotic medications,” Evan Thomas, MD, PhD, says. “At Ohio State, we always strive to provide the most advanced techniques to optimize their quality of life.” Radiation oncology at Ohio State The James Department of Radiation Oncology offers the most advanced, cutting-edge treatments for cancer patients through our state-of-the-art technologies; paradigm-shifting clinical, translational, and basic research; and unparalleled expertise with our internationally-acclaimed team of physicians. This unique combination results in the very best personalized care for our cancer patients. The Department of Radiation Oncology at the James Cancer Hospital provides advanced personalized radiation oncology care to cancer patients, specific to their individual tumor and clinical situation. The department is an integral part of Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). We provide leading-edge radiation therapy care in an environment of subspecialty radiation oncology expertise, education and translational research. The signature mission of Radiation Oncology at the James Cancer Hospital is to provide state-of-the-art personalized care for our cancer patients by capitalizing upon the unique expertise of our treatment team, implementing cutting-edge technologies geared to eradicate cancer, and conducting cutting-edge clinical, translational, and basic science research. Because radiation oncology touches nearly all cancer specialties and subspecialties, each diagnosis and treatment plan is led by an OSUCCC – James expert within that particular cancer. That specialist is also supported by a closely networked team of doctors, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, physician assistants, nurses and other professional support staff who work together to provide each patient with individualized, targeted treatment. Additionally at the OSUCCC – James, highly specialized, coordinated teams provide supportive care (also called palliative care) for radiation therapy patients. This includes spiritual, emotional, psychological and nutritional counseling. Learn more about radiation oncology at The James.