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External Beam Radiation Therapy


External radiation therapy focuses a high-energy X-ray or electron beams at specific points on your body where the tumor is located.

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.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) technologies provide image-guidance and verification capabilities during radiation treatment allowing for more accurate delivery of radiation. Imaging is taken during the course of your treatments. A computer compares the images taken at the time of treatment to images taken during the planning phase. IGRT is able to account for changes in the patient’s body or position that may shift the exact location of the cancer. This allows increased accuracy of very complex treatment approaches. It also provides documentation of the degree of accuracy. IGRT is used in conjunction with external beam radiation, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT)

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT) is a treatment method in which radiation beams follow the exact shape of the cancer tumor allowing more precise targeting. This technique allows delivery of high-dose radiation while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue. If 3D CRT is recommended, the radiology team will utilize three-dimensional images of the tumor and the surrounding structures to develop a complex and specialized treatment plan.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) & Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) & Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) are advanced types of radiation technology. 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 in the brain that cannot be treated by traditional surgical methods. SRS is a non-surgical procedure that delivers precisely-targeted radiation at much higher doses than traditional radiation therapy with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

  • SBRT is used to treat malignant or benign small to medium size tumors in the body, including the lung, liver, abdomen, spine, prostate, and head or neck. SRS and SBRT are important alternatives to invasive surgery, especially for patients who are unable to undergo surgical interventions for tumors and abnormalities.
  • SRS and SBRT work in the same way as other forms of radiation treatment. The process does not actually remove the tumor, but the radiation causes it to shrink. By damaging the DNA of tumor cells, these cells cannot reproduce. Malignant and metastatic tumors may shrink more rapidly, even within a couple of months. Specific technology is required to deliver SRS and SBRT treatments. Three-dimensional imaging is used to locate the tumor within the body and define the exact size and shape. This imaging guides the treatment plan and positioning of the patient for treatment. A linear accelerator is used to deliver treatment. Using this technology has significant advantages over earlier generation technology because it utilizes a larger X-ray beam, which enables the uniform treatment of larger tumors.

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET)

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.

AccuBoost

AccuBoost is a treatment for breast cancer patients' - that utilizes the real-time image guidance of IGRT to precisely target the boost dose of radiation for breast cancer treatment, making it more accurate for each treatment. This precision allows little or no exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, ensuring a better cosmetic outcome, and eliminating the variability that radiation oncologists face for similar treatments. The AccuBoost system targets the dose precisely to where it needs to go and minimizes the side effects of radiation.