Types of Radiation Therapy
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
The radiation oncology program offers intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which enhances radiation treatment planning for the patient and allows delivery of high doses of radiation to a tumor while minimizing the amount of radiation to normal tissues. The medical oncology program has a medical oncologist and oncology-trained staff who offer clinical trial drug programs and the latest chemotherapy agents using chemotherapy infusion chairs. Our oncologists work together to develop treatment plans, deliver therapies, and evaluate patients’ progress.
Prostate Seed Implantation
Prostate Seed Implantation, also known as brachytherapy, is an internal radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancers. The procedure, which is done in an operating room under general anesthesia, includes placing 20 to 30 hollow tubes into the prostate gland. Two to six radioactive, metal seeds are then inserted into each of the hollow tubes. The treatment is designed to direct more radiation to parts of the prostate, while limiting radiation exposure to nearby organs, such as the bladder and the rectum.
MammoSite® Brachytherapy
MammoSite Brachytherapy is an internal radiation technique used to treat breast cancers following a lumpectomy. After the lumpectomy, the surgeon places a small balloon into the surgical site via a catheter. During the subsequent treatment, a radioactive, metallic seed is inserted into the balloon to provide radiation to the tissue that surrounded the cancer. Treatments typically only last about 10 minutes, and patients may need as few as 10 treatments (two a day for five days). MammoSite Brachytherapy also can be used in combination with external methods of radiation.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy
Stereotactic Radiotherapy is a form of external radiation therapy used to treat tumors that are hard to reach via surgery or tumors deep within the brain. The treatment uses sophisticated computerized imaging to direct radiation to a highly specific area. Stereotactic Radiotherapy also can be used as a follow-up to more traditional external beam radiation techniques.