External Radiation
This form of radiation is
directed at a cancer from outside the body by a machine such as a linear
accelerator. This allows your doctor to treat a region or multiple
regions of your body. It is the most common of all radiation therapies.
During treatment, a beam of radiation is directed through the skin to a
tumor and the immediate surrounding area in order to destroy the main
tumor and any nearby cancer cells. Like having a chest X-ray, there is
no pain or feeling of any kind during the treatment. The machine never
touches you.
In a process called simulation, your doctor will
determine the exact locations which are to receive radiation. This is
done by computerized tomography (CT). The CT simulation process allows a
complete three-dimensional view of the areas that need to be targeted
and the areas to avoid. Each treatment takes about 15 minutes and is
performed on an outpatient basis over a number of weeks.
3D Conformal Radiotherapy
Today,
most radiation treatment plans compute the radiation dose and
distribution in a 3D setting. A detailed three-dimensional
representation of the tumor and surrounding organs is created. Your
radiation oncologist can then shape the beams to exactly the size and
shape of the tumor and visualize the surrounding normal tissues.
IMRT: The latest advancement
Treatments
are evolving. And new methods are constantly being developed to
administer radiation therapy. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
(IMRT) is one such treatment available at the Cancer Center.
IMRT
treatment is a type of 3-D radiation in which the delivered radiation
conforms to the tumor shape, thus minimizing even further any damage to
healthy tissues. IMRT allows radiation beams to be divided up and
delivered in different intensities and directions to match the tumor’s
shape. IMRT allows us to treat smaller targets more safely.
IGRT: Image Guided Radiation Therapy
Image
Guidance is a further refinement of our ability to deliver the
treatment in the most accurate fashion. Our linear accelerator will be
equipped with the Varian On Board Imager (OBI). This X-ray device allows
us to image and internal target before treatment. Targeting can be done
with either conventional X-rays to detect implanted markers or with a
CT scan. These techniques improve accuracy and may allow for higher
doses of radiation.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy (for future installation)
Stereotactic
radiosurgery (SRT) is a unique form of radiation therapy that uses a
very precise, high-dose X-ray beam to target a small area of the brain
and body. This additional precision is achieved by using special devises
to ensure accurate positioning and through Image Guidance to ensure the
exact location of the tumor for the treatment. Each SRT treatment
delivers a high dose of therapy and thus fewer treatments are needed.
Because SRT depends on precision, some additional steps are required in
the planning and implementation.
Brachytherapy, or Internal Radiation
Brachytherapy
(brak-e-THER-up-pee) internal radiation treatment is the science of
placing radioactive materials inside either a cancer or an organ with
cancer. Because the radiation source is placed so close to or inside the
tumor, a large dose of radiation can be delivered to the tumor with
minimal exposure to surrounding normal tissue.
The radioactive
sources used in the brachytherapy are small capsules or seeds. These can
be placed permanently. The capsules remain in the body after the
radiation has been expended and the seeds are no longer radioactive.
Alternatively,
tiny tubes or catheters can be temporarily placed in the body for a day
or more to allow a very strong radioactive seed to travel through the
catheter, delivering treatment deep inside the body without passing
through critical organs. This is called a ‘temporary implant’. Because
the radiation is delivered with a highly radioactive source, it is also
called High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy.
Our team consists of the following medical professionals.
Radiation Oncologist (physician)
The radiation oncologist works with other cancer doctors to determine
how a course of radiation can be most effective of each patient’s
needs. The radiation oncologist will prescribe the amount of radiation
to be delivered and work with other members of the radiation team to
ensure proper targeting and delivery. He or she will also oversee your
radiation treatments on a regular basis.
Radiation Oncology Nurses
The radiation oncology nurses work collaboratively with the radiation
oncologist, radiation therapists, and other cancer nurse specialists to
care for you at the time of diagnosis and during treatment. They will
explain the process of radiation therapy, and the possible side effects.
They will assess how you are doing throughout the treatment and help
the doctor manage any changes.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists administer the daily radiation treatments under
the doctor’s prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records
of the treatments to help in the overall medical management. Radiation
therapists receive special training and are required to have a special
license.
Medical Physicist
Medical physicists are licensed by New York State after specialized
training and have a doctorate or master’s degree. Medical physicists are
key in helping the radiation oncologist plan and deliver the correct
treatment. Their responsibilities also include the monitoring of the
treatment machines with multiple precise measurements.
Dosimetrist
Dosimetrists work under the supervision of the medical physicist and
carefully calculate the dose of radiation for each treatment plan.
Today, dosimetrists use computers for planning and work closely with the
physician to develop the best plan to destroy the tumor and avoid
normal tissue. Dosimetrists are specially trained members of the team.
HealthAlliance Hospital
105 Mary's Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: 845.338.2500
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Thomas A. Dee Cancer Center
111 Mary's Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: 845.334.3015
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