EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY--- Treatments are delivered daily on two Linear Accelerators. In 2003, we installed the Varian 2100EXdelta. It is equipped with Multi-Leaf Collimation, portal imaging, 6 and 15 MV photon and multiple electron energies. In April 2006, the TRILOGY was installed. The TRILOGY is the most technically advanced linear accelerator on the market. It has been featured in several national news articles. Along with Multi-Leaf Collimation and portal imaging, the TRILOGY also features the On-Board Imager and Cone Beam CT. Both of these features allow for "real-time" imaging of the patient to accurately align the radiation beam. This is known as IGRT - Image Guided Radiation Therapy.

CT SIMULATION-- Installed in March 2006 was the GE LightSpeed CT scanner. Custom made for Radiation Simulation with it's fast speeds and wider opening to allow for treatment positions.

IMRT and 3D TREATMENT PLANNING-- Varian's Eclipse planning system is used for Radiation Treatment Planning. This allows for accurate tumor localization while sparing critical normal structures. This allows higher doses of Radiation to get to the tumor and sparing normal tissues. This advanced planning system was recently installed in 2006.

STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY-- The process of delivering a high dose of radiation to a very small area over a short period of time. Most commonly used for small brain tumors, we now have the technology with the TRILOGY to treat Trigeminal Neuromas, liver mets, small lung tumors, and tumors close to the spinal cord. (see HELPFUL LINKS for additional information on Stereotactic Radiosurgeries)

PEDIATRIC RADIATION ONCOLOGY-- Dr. Nina Johnson is the areas only specially trained Pediatric Radiation Oncologist who works closely with Riley's Children's Hospital and Memorial's Children's Hospital for the delicate treatment of our littlest patients. Our team has extensive experience and works hand in hand with Riley's to give our pediatric patients their cancer treatments close to their home.

RESPIRATORY GATING-- New advancement in delivering radiation. An infrared camera watches a small device placed on the patient's abdomen. As the patient breathes in and out, it sends a signal to the treatment machine. The treatment machine knows when it should "beam-on" depending on the breathing cycle. It will only "beam-on" when the tumor moves to a certain area during each breath. This can be used to treat lung tumors (that move while patient breathes), also breast and abdominal tumors.

BRACHYTHERAPY-- HDR (high dose rate) temporarily places radiation into, or close to the tumor using precisely placed catheter or cylinders. This can be used for lung, GYN, prostate, and breast using the MAMMOSITE balloon (see below). LDR (low-dose rate) using interstitial needles or instruments to place the radiation into or close to the tumor for a longer (but temporarily) period of time.

MAMMOSITE-- A special balloon is placed inside the lumpectomy cavity and inflated to conform to the tissue. Radiation is guided in thru the balloon's catheter. Treatment is delivered using High Dose Rate therapy with Ir-192 at 340 cGy, twice a day for 5 days.

PROSTATE TREATMENTS-- We offer several treatment options for our patients.

1. Daily external beam IMRT over approximately 7 weeks. These patients have 3-4 tiny gold markers placed in the prostate by their Urologist before treatment begins. Then before each daily treatment, we use the TRILOGY's On-Board Imager to visualize the 3-4 gold markers and center accurately on the prostate.

2. Prostate HDR followed by 5 weeks IMRT. Prostate HDR is a 2 day treatment where catheters are inserted into the prostate in surgery, then the patient is brought down to the Radiation Center for treatment in the afternoon, then again in the morning. The 3-4 gold markers are placed at the time of surgery to aid in the daily IMRT treatments.

3. Prostate Seed Implant. Permanent radioactive seeds are placed directly into the prostate. Radiation is concentrated directly in the prostate. The procedure takes one to three hours, is performed on an outpatient basis and requires no surgical incisions.