Radiation Treatments and Technology
At the UMC Cancer Center we know that not a single patient is the same as the last. For this reason, we offer a wide range of radiation therapy treatments to fit everyone’s need.
Treatments
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), is a highly focused radiation treatment that delivers a high dose of radiation concentrated on a tumor, while limiting the dose to the surrounding organs. This is a treatment option for patients who may not benefit from surgery.
Advantages of SABR treatment:
- Highly effective and accurate, with the latest image-guidance technology
- Offers the ability to spare healthy tissue while boosting radiation dosage
- Non-invasive and comfortable for patients
- Convenient outpatient service lasts no longer than an hour
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses dozens of tiny radiation beams to accurately target brain tumors with a single high dose of radiation. Although the name might suggest otherwise, this is not a surgical procedure. SRS is effective for treating tumors in small areas in the head and neck that cannot be reached by surgery.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Cone Treatment
The Radiation Therapy department at the UMC Cancer Center also uses SRS cone treatments. This allows the physician to deliver a high dose of radiation with the radiation beam pinpointed to tumors.
Brachytherapy Services
Brachytherapy is a procedure that involves placing a small, sealed source of radioactive material (about the size of a grain of rice) inside of the patient’s body as close to the tumor as possible. The source is removed upon completion of the therapy. This method allows our doctors to deliver higher doses of radiation to more specific areas of the body, limiting exposure to healthy tissue. This is used to treat several types of cancer such as: breast, gynecologic, prostate, skin, and more. Here at the UMC Cancer Center, we focus on gynecologic cancers and use brachytherapy together with external beam treatments to deliver radiation.
Intensity-modulation Radiation Therapy
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of radiation used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. It uses advanced technology to manipulate beams of radiation to conform to the shape of the tumor, with the goal of reducing exposure to healthy tissue and limiting side effects of treatment.
3-D Conformal Radiation
3-D conformal radiation utilizes three-dimensional scans to determine the exact shape and size of a tumor, which allows our doctors to direct radiation beams to conform to the shape of the tumor. We use advanced technology to plot the path of beams and use tiny metal leaves to custom design treatments that fit specific tumor dimensions.
Partial Breast Radiation
Partial breast radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays to kill breast cancer cells. Usually, the treatment is delivered to the area of the breast where the tumor was already removed. As with many of our radiation options, this method spares the surrounding healthy tissue from being exposed.
Radioimmunotherapy
Radio immunotherapy is a combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy. A laboratory produced molecule called a monoclonal antibody is paired with radioactive material. When injected into a patient’s bloodstream, the radiation-linked monoclonal antibody binds to cancer cells, delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor.
Technology
The UMC Cancer Center is at forefront of treatment technologies. We offer the latest, cutting-edge technology and radiosurgery equipment not available anywhere else in the region. Most importantly, we offer all of this to give patients the best treatment options available.
NOVACURE Optune
This treatment device uses low-intensity electric fields to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adult patients 22 years old or older. We often use this in conjunction with radiation therapy.
www.optune.com
Xofigo Radium 223
This is a radioactive injection used to treat prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormonal or surgical treatment. It is also for men whose prostate cancer has spread to the bones.
www.xofigo-us.com
SpaceOAR
SpaceOAR is a water-based gel injected to create a space between the prostate and the rectum. It is best used during radiation treatments for prostate cancer and reduces exposure to other organs.
www.spaceoar.com
Chromic Phosphate (P32)
P32 is a radiopharmaceutical used to treat cancer. It is given by injection to treat cancer in certain organs, such as the ovaries and prostate.
4D CT
4D CT is an advanced imaging method that makes CT scans more accurate. It uses new technology that captures the location and movement of tumors and the body’s organs.
Intrafraction Monitoring
Intrafraction monitoring allows us to monitor movement during radiation treatments. This ensures quicker, more accurate radiation delivery.
Optical Surface Monitoring System (OSMS)
Our OSMS is designed to ensure that treatments are delivered with precision. It projects a grid onto patients allowing us to monitor movement. If movement is detected, the treatment delivery pauses ensuring everything is in correct position.
TrueBeam Linear Accelerator
The TrueBeam system is an advanced radiotherapy system The TrueBeam system is an advanced radiotherapy system engineered to deliver powerful cancer treatments with accuracy and precision. This technology allows UMC Cancer Center physicians to treat many types of cancers. It is also quicker—what once took 10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in less than two minutes.
www.varian.com
DeltaPhantom+
We use the DeltaPhantom+ system in conjunction with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and similar treatments to verify the accuracy and efficiency of treatment. It is the only system that measures dose distribution in the isocentric region, which tells physicians how much radiation is being delivered.
http://www.delta4family.com/