Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as X-rays, to destroy or damage cancer cells.
Other names for radiation therapy include radiotherapy, X-ray therapy and irradiation.
Treatment Overview
Radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous tumor, killing or damaging them so they cannot grow, multiply or spread. Although some normal cells may be impacted by radiation, most appear to recover fully from the effects of the treatment. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and is used in more than half of all cancer cases.
The Radiation Oncology Program at Hulston Cancer Center is the only program in southwest Missouri accredited by the American College of Radiology.
Read an article by Dr. Ibrahim Abdalla, radiation oncologist, about Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.
Technology at Hulston's Radiation Oncology Department:
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) allows the precise delivery of multiple beams of high-dose radiation that are focused and contoured to fit the shape of the tumor. This is accomplished by the use of a breakthrough technology called inverse treatment planning. This planning system utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and computer software. IMRT allows the radiation oncologist to hit the tumor harder and more accurately than ever before while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) allows the precise delivery of radiation to the tumor by positioning off implanted internal markers and bony anatomy, as opposed to traditional external markers or tattoos, to provide a highly accurate and reproducible positioning method. This allows the radiation oncologist to deliver a higher dose more accurately, providing superior patient treatment while minimizing damage done to healthy tissue.
MammoSite Radiation Therapy System - In July 2006, Hulston Cancer Center became the first in the area to offer breast cancer treatment with the MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS). MammoSite RTS is a radiation therapy device that has been used to treat more than 16,000 women since being approved by the FDA in 2002. This technology is the most advanced radiation treatment available for early stage breast cancer patients, offering excellent cosmetic results and unparalleled convenience. Ibrahim Abdalla, MD, radiation oncologist at Hulston Cancer Center explains, "MammoSite radiation therapy is safe and effective with the additional benefit of convenience." For more information on the MammoSite procedure, visit the MammoSite website.
Permanent Seed Bracytherapy is a treatment option for cancer of the prostate gland. It involves the placement of tiny, radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland using ultrasound guidance. The seeds that are implanted emit a low radiation dose that is highly confined to the prostate gland with little dose to the surrounding tissues. This confined therapy helps reduce bowel and urinary side effects such as incontinence or impotence. The seeds stay in place permanently. Prostate seed brachytherapy is most beneficial to patients with early stage prostate cancer that is confined to the prostate gland. Because the procedure is completed in one day, it offers a convenient option for the prostate cancer patient.
High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy - Hulston Cancer Center was the first facility in Southwest Missouri to offer HDR brachytherapy for treatment of the prostate gland. It is similar to permanent prostate seed therapy, but radiation is not left permanently in the body. As with the prostate seed procedure, catheter-like needles are placed under the guidance of ultrasound into the prostate gland. Then, a temporary, high dose-producing radiation source is administered. HDR requires admission to the hospital and is always combined with five weeks of external beam radiation. However, there are some major benefits: HDR is more versatile and is the most precise way to give radiation to the prostate gland; HDR can deliver high radiation doses to the extra capsular tissue and seminal vesicles, allowing for treatment of more advanced prostate cancer; and, HDR can sculpt the radiation dose to fit the gland's anatomy, thus boosting the dose to the tumor and delivering less dose to the rectum and urethra.
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