Radiation Oncology
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External Radiation Therapy
One way radiation therapy can be administered is externally, through the use of high-energy x-rays or electron beams. Your radiation oncologist will help you determine the best course of treatment for your particular case. Some of the options they might suggest include:
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common form of radiation therapy given. In this procedure, a radiation therapist uses a special piece of equipment called a linear accelerator to aim a beam of high-energy radiation directly at the tumor site. High-energy x-rays are used to treat most patients, but high-energy electron beams may be used in some instances.
Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT)
Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, or 3DCRT, uses multi-leaf collimators, mechanical devices attached to the linear accelerator, to aim beams of radiation at a patient from different angles. Our multileaf collimators contain 120 leaves, the most available. Targeting a tumor from multiple directions allows our staff to deliver higher doses of radiation more precisely with a much lower risk to nearby normal tissue than past treatment options allowed. As a result, better outcomes with fewer side effects are possible.
This image shows 3D Conformal Therapy where each color represents a field that treats the patient.
This image is a depiction of the use of IMRT for head and neck therapy. The treatment is designed to tightly conform the prescribed dose of radiation around the tumor volume and minimize dose to normal structures.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an extension of 3DCRT. In this procedure, special computer software is used to program the multileaf collimators to change the shape of each beam during the treatment. Changing the beams' shape in this manner allows the radiation to conform more closely to the dimensions of the tumor. This is particularly helpful in more complex cases.
Currently, we offer IMRT for patients with disease involving the head, neck or prostate. Even with good external immobilization for other areas such as the abdomen, the organs can still move within the body, making treatment using IMRT more difficult.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
A new treatment, called stereotactic radiosurgery, focuses radiation beams on small well-defined tumors and other abnormalities of the brain. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) offers treatment using a high dose of tightly focused radiation. In this procedure, a neurosurgeon works with a radiation oncology specialists to treat the brain with radiation beams that are focused on small well defined areas.