The majority of our care is provided in an outpatient setting using customized therapies ranging from chemotherapy and radiation therapy to advanced technologies like immunotherapy, proton therapy, genetic testing, and genomic sequencing. Advanced treatments and best practices that come from a robust program of clinical trials and leading-edge research create the high caliber of care you’ll find at Texas Oncology.
Texas Oncology-Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center Radiation Oncology offers a robust array of radiation modalities:
External Radiation Therapy
- >Conventional 2D, 3D, electron treatments
- Conventional 2D – Conventional (2D) radiation therapy refers to the technique of radiation therapy where treatments are planned by defining a limited number of beams with the boundaries delineated on patient X-rays. Conventional 2D radiation therapy is typically used for palliative treatment.
- 3D Conformal Radiation – A type of external beam radiation therapy, 3D conformal radiation therapy combines images from CT, MRI, and PET scans to plan the radiation treatment. Software analyzes the images and helps direct radiation beams to conform to the tumor’s shape.
- Electron Treatments – Electron therapy uses electrons directed to the outer layers of the skin to cover the surface of the body. It does not go into deeper tissues or organs.
Learn More. - >Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced form of non-invasive radiation treatment enabling radiation oncologists to precisely target tumor cells. It uses computed tomography (CT) to create 3D images and treatment plans to deliver targeted radiation beams of varying intensity to cancerous tumors. By using image-guidance technologies, your radiation oncologist can localize your treatment and minimize damage to surrounding tissue.
Learn More. - >Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) are non-surgical procedures that deliver precisely-targeted radiation at very high doses with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. SRS uses a computer-guided therapy system to treat tumors and other abnormalities of the brain. SRS is ideal for otherwise inoperable tumors, such as those that cannot be treated by traditional surgical methods. SBRT is used in areas of the body other than the brain to treat malignant or benign small to medium size tumors.
Learn More. - >Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) are non-surgical procedures that deliver precisely-targeted radiation at very high doses with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. SRS uses a computer-guided therapy system to treat tumors and other abnormalities of the brain. SRS is ideal for otherwise inoperable tumors, such as those that cannot be treated by traditional surgical methods. SBRT is used in areas of the body other than the brain to treat malignant or benign small to medium size tumors.
Learn More. - >Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)
Like stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) uses a computer-guided therapy system to deliver large doses of radiation. However, instead of a single session, radiation is delivered on multiple days divided into several doses.
Learn More. - >Total Body Irradiation (TBI)
Total body irradiation (TBI) is a type of radiation therapy that is given to the entire body, often in combinations with high-dose anti-cancer drugs, in order to help prepare a patient for a stem cell transplant. TBI is given to kill any remaining cancer cells and to make room in the patient’s bone marrow for new blood stem cells to grow. Total body irradiation may also help prevent the body’s immune system from rejecting the transplanted stem cells.
Learn More. - >Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSE)
Total skin electron therapy (TSET) is a treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer. It works by delivering a specific amount of radiation all over the skin while minimizing radiation exposure to the rest of the body. TSET may be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other therapies.
Like other forms of radiation, TSET is delivered by a linear accelerator. During treatment, the patient stands in a variety of positions in front of the linear accelerator, while special monitors measure the exact dosage of radiation on various parts of the body. Custom shields help protect sensitive parts of the body, such as nails and eyes.
Unlike traditional radiation therapies, in which radiation beams pass through the tumor and exit on the other side of the body, TSET uses electron-based radiation treatment to penetrate only a shallow portion of the patient’s body. This technique allows a patient’s skin to be treated without exposing the whole body to radiation.
Learn More. - >Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT): Rapid ARC
Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a type of radiation therapy used to deliver highly-specific treatment doses, while minimizing damage to normal tissues. A linear accelerator moves around the patient 360 degrees to deliver the radiation to the tumor.
- RapidArcTM – Varian RapidArcTM is an advanced form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) that allows radiation oncologists to send multiple doses of precise beams in the 3D shape of tumors. RapidArcTM uses computed tomography (CT) or other imaging technology to pinpoint tumors and guide the radiation beam around the patient.
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Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
- >Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID)
Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) measure X-ray intensity transmitted through a patient during treatment. This measurement is transformed into a 2D digital image to accurately align the radiation beam to the tumor.
Learn More. - >Exac Trac
ExacTrac is an advanced imaging technology used to verify patient and tumor position at the time of treatment, allowing us to target only the tumor and spare the surrounding normal tissue.
Learn More. - >Onboard Imaging - Conebeam CT, Kilovotage imaging, Fluoroscopy
Onboard imaging allows care teams to better align treatment to a tumor that may have a complex shape or move, which damage to healthy tissues.
- Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) – Physicians use Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), which utilizes 3D volumetric imaging (vs. 2D X-ray images), to provide improved visualization, better patient positioning, and more precise treatment of cancerous tumors.
- Kilovoltage Cone Beam Computed Tomography (kV-CBCT) – A type of board imaging, kilovoltage Cone Beam CT allows care teams to make adjustments to the X-rays that impact the intensity and quality of the image.
- Fluoroscopy – Fluoroscopy is another medical imaging test that can be used in IGRT. An image of the area is created by sending an X-ray beam continuously through the body to create an image. Physicians can view the image on a monitor in real time to see the movement of internal organs.
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Surface Guidance Radiation Therapy
- > Vision RT
Vision RT technology systems increase treatment accuracy and patient comfort during radiation therapy by using surface guided radiation therapy. It tracks the patient’s skin surface using 3D cameras and helps with motion management during treatment, which ensures the patient is in the intended position for treatment accuracy.
Radiation Information Systems
- > Elekta MOSAIQ
Elekta MOSAIQ® Care Management software helps manage all aspects of a radiation oncology program, keeping patient information easily accessible while simplifying complex treatment management, personalizing decision support, and reducing errors and wait times.