Radiation Therapy for Cancer

Radiation treats cancer using high-energy beams. These beams damage the cancer cells and stop them from growing or spreading. Radiation can be used to cure the cancer or to slow it down, especially when surgery isn’t the best choice or isn’t possible.

Radiation is non-invasive, meaning there are no cuts or stitches. It is often done as an outpatient treatment, so you go home the same day.

There are different types of radiation. Some are given from outside the body, like external beam radiation. Others, like brachytherapy, are given from inside the body using tiny radioactive seeds.

Your doctor will help choose the best type of radiation based on your cancer, your health, and your preferences. We work with radiation oncologists who specialize in providing radiation treatment and can recommend the most appropriate type for your condition.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

SBRT is a type of radiation that delivers a few, very focused high-dose treatments. Most patients receive 5 sessions over 1–2 weeks. SBRT is often used for patients with cancer that has not spread and can be an alternative to longer courses of radiation.

Common benefits of SBRT:

Two common benefits are a short overall treatment time (1–2 weeks), and very precise targeting of the cancer location.

 

External Beam Radiation (IMRT/IGRT)

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a common type of external beam radiation that shapes the beams to fit the cancerous region and protect nearby organs.

With Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), a scan is taken before each session to line things up correctly. IMRT is often used when a larger area needs to be treated. In the case of prostate cancer, it is often used when the prostate has been removed. Treatments are usually given 5 days a week for 6 to 9 weeks.

Common side effects of SBRT or IMRT include:

• Feeling tired
• Needing to urinate more often
• Mild bowel changes

Most side effects are temporary and improve after treatment is complete.

 

CyberKnife

CyberKnife® is designed to deliver a very precise type of external radiation treatment known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). It is the only radiation therapy technology that adjusts the treatment beam directly to your tumor as your body moves.

How it works

Using CyberKnife we can make sure, with sub-millimeter accuracy, that we deliver individualized doses of radiation to your tumor.

• First, we place fiducial seeds, which are small, often gold, implants in or near the tumor to act as a marker during treatment.
• Next, we create a customized treatment plan based on your specific cancer type, tumor size, and location of the tumor.
• During treatment we use continual imaging to guide the robotic arm delivering radiation beams.

As a result, the radiation is targeted to the tumor only, minimizing exposure of healthy tissue.

Advantages:

• Despite its name, CyberKnife requires no cutting.
• It delivers high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy.
• You need fewer treatments – typically 5 vs. 40 or more with traditional radiation.
• There are minimal side effects, and a faster recovery.
• You get your life back sooner.

 

Brachytherapy (Seed Implants)

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation where tiny seeds are placed directly into the body near cancerous cells. These seeds give off radiation slowly over time. This treatment is used for many types of cancer. It is sometimes used in combination with IMRT.

The procedure is done under anesthesia. Most patients go home the same day. In most instances the seeds stay in your body, but the radiation decays over several months so the seeds are no longer radioactive.

What to expect:

• A planning ultrasound is done first to map the cancerous region.
• Intraoperative planning is done to determine where the seeds should be placed.
• The doctor places the seeds using a needle and ultrasound.

You may be asked to avoid close contact with young children or pregnant women for a short time due to this type of radiation. You can still sleep in the same bed as your partner.

Benefits of brachytherapy include:

• One-time treatment
• Quick recovery
• High success rate for early-stage cancers