Radiation Technologies

There are many ways to deliver and target radiation into the body.  As with other modalities, radiation delivery techniques give the physician more choices as to how best to target your cancer.  Depending on the type of cancer, one or more methods may be used to maximize tumor reduction and minimize damage to normal healthy tissues.

Cyberknife® Radiosurgery/Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

CyberKnife® is a radiation delivery and tracking system that can treat tumors of the body and brain with submillimeter accuracy,  It uses state-of-the-art robotics and real-time movement tracking. (click here to learn more)

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRS)

Traditional radiation therapy involves the use of daily radiation doses over the course of 4 to 9 weeks. Stereotactic Radiation Therapy is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and deliver radiation precisely to the tumor. The total dose of radiation is delivered in one treatment or divided into several smaller doses (typically 2 to 5) over a several day period. Cyberknife® Radiosurgery is a form of stereotactic radiation therapy.

3D Conformal Radiation Therapy

3D Conformal Therapy allows us to shape the radiation beam around the tumor and control the dose of radiation throughout the process to limit exposure to normal healthy tissues.  3D Conformal treatment involves the use of CT images (computed tomography) to construct a 3-dimensional, computer-generated recreation of the internal organs and the tumor. This allows the radiation oncologist to target the treatment area while minimizing side effects.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

IMRT involves the use of multiple high-energy x-ray beams to target the tumor. The radiation beams are calculated in advance as part of a patient specific treatment plan to deliver precise radiation while minimizing the dose to the normal surrounding tissues. 

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

IGRT is radiation treatment supported by enhanced graphic targeting. By targeting the treatment area more accurately, we can achieve better patient outcomes with fewer side effects.  This is particularly useful when addressing prostate, breast, lung, spine head/neck cancers and other sites in the body.  Cyberknife® Radiosurgery uses an integrated system to track tumors simultaneously with radiation delivery.

CT Scanning & Simulation

CT Scanning is used to map the organs and structures within the body.  When a treatment plan is developed, a CT Simulation is necessary to acquire measurements and other technical data.  The patient is positioned on the CT scanner table where multiple scans are performed to generate a digital 3D reconstruction of the tumor area.  The information collected during simulation helps the radiation oncologist and other staff prepare and deliver the radiation treatment.

Electron Beam Radiation Therapy

Electron Beam Radiation Therapy uses sub-atomic particles that are well suited for surface or superficial cancers such as the treatment of skin and cutaneous lymphoma.

Photon Beams

Photon beams is another term for x-rays. We generally use high-energy photon beams in radiation therapy because they can reach tumors positioned more deeply in the body. Just like other forms of external radiation, ionizing radiation is generated to damage the DNA of the cancer cells resulting in the reduction and killing of the tumor.

Prostate Seed Implants (Brachytherapy)

Seed Implant Brachytherapy involves the use of radioactive seeds that are permanently placed in the body.  In the early stages of prostate cancer, seed implantation is often used as a stand alone treatment.

High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)

HDR Brachytherapy is another form of internal treatment that involves stronger doses of radiation through the use of temporary implants. By placing the radioactive material near the infected area, we can deliver an effective dose of radiation while minimize side-effects because the radiation does not penetrate to the surrounding normal tissue.  High Dose Rate Brachytherapy can be effective with endometrial and gynecological cancers.

Radiation Treatment for Non-Cancerous/Benign Conditions

Cancer Care Centers of Brevard also provides treatment services for Non-Cancerous/Benign Tumors. (more info)

 

Other Radiation Treatments

Strontium/Samarium

Strontium and Samarium are useful in treating cancers that may have spread with the bone or bones and is administered intravenously over the course of 20 minutes.  These medications affect the diseased bone and help to reduce pain and improve healing.

Bexxar

Bexxar is a radioactive liquid medication used to treat lymphoma and is often administered in conjunction with chemotherapy and traditional radiation therapy.

Radioactive iodine-131 therapy

RI-131 is a medical treatment ingested in pill form and used in the treatment of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism.

Other methods of treatment include bio-therapy, hormonal and immunotherapy.