Memorial Cancer Institute

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Memorial Cancer Institute

Radiation Cancer Treatment Center

At our cancer treatment centers, highly specialized teams of board-certified radiation oncologists, oncology-certified nurses, registered radiation therapists, certified physicists and certified dosimetrists work with advanced equipment to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Sophisticated technology coupled with the expertise of experienced, fellowship-trained physicians allows for the most effective radiation treatments available.

Cancer radiation therapy treatments and technologies available in the Department of Radiation Oncology include:

• CT-Based Simulation
  Enables highly detailed, 3-D treatment planning.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
  One of the newest techniques in radiation oncology. Image-guided radiation therapy achieves optimal tumor control with greatest sparing of normal tissue. Portal imaging is performed while the patient lies on the table in treatment position. Margins are continually adjusted in real time to accommodate voluntary and involuntary patient movement.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  Delivers high, targeted doses of radiation to tumors in the brain, breast, abdomen, prostate and/or gynecological system with minimal effect on normal surrounding structures. Our newest technology using IMRT is RapidArc™, which moves in an arc around the patient versus the traditional process of seven to 12 individual beams of radiation.
• External-Beam Radiation
  Delivered with new Varian linear accelerators and a 120-leaf collimator precisely shapes and direct the radiation beams.
• Brachytherapy
  Places the source of radiation directly into or adjacent to the cancer site to increase efficacy and reduce side effects. High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a temporary source of internal radiation therapy used in the treatment of Gynecologic, Lung and Gastrointestinal Cancers. Seed implants are a permanent form of brachytherapy used in prostate cancer.
• MammoSite® Breast Brachytherapy
  Utilizes a single catheter for partial breast radiation in selected Breast Cancer patients. Treatments are normally given twice daily over five treatment days.
• CyberKnife®
  Employs pencil-thin beams of radiation to treat many types of tumors in just one to five treatments, with pinpoint accuracy and minimal side effects. Cyberknife® is virtually pain free.
• Yttrium-90 Microspheres
  Tiny pellets of radiation infused into tumors in the liver resulting from metastatic colon cancer.

Dietitians assist with dietary requirements of all patients with special needs based on their disease or medications. The goal is to help the patient maintain weight and stability.

Social workers work with patients to resolve transportation and financial concerns to ensure that all treatments continue on schedule through completion.

• For More Information About Cancer Radiation Therapy and Treatment, Visit Our Health Library

Is Your Doctor a Memorial Doctor?
To find a physician who is committed to cancer radiation therapy and treatment, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.