Radiation
therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Used by itself or with
cancer-fighting medicines or surgery, radiation is one of the most effective
cancer treatments available. Radiation may be used to shrink a tumor before
surgery so it can be removed more easily, or after surgery, to destroy any
remaining cancer cells. In some cases, radiation without surgery may be the most
appropriate treatment against certain types of cancer.
What to expect
from radiation therapy
The goal of any radiation treatment is to target specific tumors with the exact amount of radiation required while minimizing exposure to surrounding normal, healthy tissue.
Most patients will receive external beam radiation treatments from one of our linear accelerators. These highly accurate machines beam radiation into the tumor from outside your body. You will not feel the radiation pass through your skin.
The actual treatment takes only two to three minutes. Your doctor will prescribe a detailed, individualized treatment plan specific to your own needs. Your course of therapy will be based on precise measurements gathered from a physical examination and from diagnostic imaging, such as computer tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The Department of Radiation Oncology is equipped with the latest treatment and planning technologies:
CT scan simulation with sophisticated laser
positioning tools aids treatment planning and delivery.
Virtual Treatment Planning reduces patient time in
simulation.
Multileaf Collimation/3-D Conformal
Targeting and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy
Technology (IMRT) precisely directs increasingly larger doses of radiation the
tumor site.
Linear Accelerators target tumors with pinpoint accuracy.
Our equipment is checked and maintained regularly by highly trained specialists. This assures treatment accuracy and safety, both to our patients and staff who work daily with radiation.
Cancer Research Because Christiana Care's Cancer Research Program is part of a select group funded by the National Cancer Institute, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials that test new drugs and treatments before they are commercially available. Call the Cancer Research Office at 302-623-4590 for more information and to find out what studies are currently open for enrollment.
Several forms of radiation treatment are available
External beam radiation. Patients can receive external beam radiation treatments from one of our linear accelerators. The radiation is beamed into the tumor from outside the body for approximately two to three minutes for each treatment.
Stereotactic radiosurgery. A precise, single dose of radiation is delivered in cases where tumors of the brain are adjacent to critical areas, such as the brainstem, eyes or optic nerves. Stereotactic radiosurgery further minimizes the side effects associated with conventional radiation. A neurosurgeon is present during treatment to attach a halo-like frame to the scalp to assist with proper positioning.
Stereotactic radiotherapy. Similar to stereotactic radiosurgery, lower doses of focused radiation are delivered with pinpoint accuracy during a series of treatment sessions that usually last between eight to ten days. This method of multiple treatments is called 'fractionation.' During treatment a halo-like frame held in place by a mouth piece helps position the head for treatment.
Total body irradiation (TBI). Patients who are awaiting a bone marrow or stem cell transplant can receive this important preparatory treatment. When combined with chemotherapy, TBI is used to suppress the immune system and eliminate any pre-existing tumor cells. TBI treatments can last anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes. Additional time may be needed for treatment planning and simulation. The specific amount of radiation the doctor prescribes is divided into a number of doses and may be given one or more times a day for one to four days, depending on each individual case. A specially designed stand may be used for support during treatment. The stand includes a bicycle seat and hand grips for support. Alternatively, a patient may be treated lying on a stretcher.
Prostate seed implants. An advanced form of radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, uses radioactive seed implants to treat early prostate cancer. In this minimally invasive procedure, doctors use ultrasound-guided needles to insert tiny radioactive seeds (Iodine 125 or Palladium 103) into the prostate gland. The seeds emit low-energy gamma rays that specifically target cancer cells in the prostate. The seeds lose 90 percent of their radioactivity within a few months following the implant, and within a year, they are considered inert or not active.
Intravascular radiation. Also called brachytherapy, cardiovascular radiation therapy or intravascular radiation helps prevent scar tissue re-growth inside a coronary artery at the site of a previously implanted stent. The procedure uses a solid, localized source of radiation which is passed through a catheter and placed temporarily inside the coronary artery, or blood vessel, where the blockage has occurred. Studies have shown successful prevention of repeat blockages by using intravascular radiation. This procedure is performed in the cardiac catheterization lab, in conjunction with a cardiologist.
Who will participate in my radiation treatments?
You will receive excellent care from a radiation treatment team that includes a radiation oncologist, a radiation oncology nurse, a patient care assistant and a radiation therapist. Team members will get to know you during your daily visits and will be there to provide support and answer questions every step of the way.
Radiation Oncologist. The radiation oncologist oversees and directs the care of each patient. They develop and prescribe each patients' treatment plan, and monitors the treatment progress to make sure each patient is getting the best treatment.
Radiation Oncology Nurse. The radiation oncology nurses are specially trained nurses who help doctors educate each patient and his/her family about cancer and radiation treatment.
Patient Care Assistant (PCA). A patient care assistant will schedule your appointments and collect information to keep your medical record up-to-date. They also assist the radiation oncologist in the examination room.
Radiation Therapist. The radiation therapist will position you for the treatments and
run the machine that delivers the radiation.
Radiation Physicist. The radiation physicist is responsible for making sure the equipment used to deliver the radiation works properly. They also work closely with the radiation oncologist to plan your treatment.
Dosimetrist. The dosimetrist works under the supervision of the radiation oncologist and the physicist. They are responsible for calculating the amount of radiation to be delivered to the cancer.
And, of course, throughout your treatment, you will have the opportunity to get to know our office staff and the wonderful volunteers who complete our radiation team.
We're in your corner The caring members of our department are available to help you throughout the radiation treatment process. Call us at 302-623-4800 or toll-free at 800-546-7181 with questions, with reports of unusual symptoms you may experience or with suggestions on ways we can serve you better.
