Technologies |
Radiation Treatment | Medical Oncology | Request an Appointment |
Oncology San Anontio offers a variety of specialized techniques to deliver and target radiation into the body. As with other modalities, radiation delivery techniques give the physician more choices as to how best to treat and target your cancer. Depending on the type of cancer and stage, one or more methods may be used to maximize tumor reduction and minimize damage to normal healthy tissues. Each facility may offer similar or unique treatments requiring patients to undergo their treatment at those facilities.
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3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy
3-D Conformal Therapy allows us to shape the radiation beam around the tumor thereby limiting exposure to normal healthy tissues. 3-D Conformal Therapy involves the use of Computer Tomography (CT) images to construct a 3-Dimensional, computer-generated re-creation of the internal organs and the tumor. This allows the radiation oncologist to target the treatment area while minimizing side effects. Oncology San Antonio offers 3-D Conformal treatment at our Downtown, Live Oak and Medical Center facilities. |
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Accelerated Partial-breast Irradiation (APBI)
Accelerated Partial-breast Irradiation (APBI) is a newer treatment alternative for women with breast cancer. It works by delivering radiation from inside the lumpectomy cavity (the space left after the tumor is removed) directly to the tissue surrounding the cavity where the cancer is most likely to recur. It is delivered on an outpatient basis twice a day for 5 days.
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| A small balloon-like device is inserted into the lumpectomy cavity that is connected to a catheter. The portion of the catheter that remains outside the breast will be connected to a computer-controlled machine that controls the radiation and dose. A tiny radioactive isotope or "seed" will travel from the machine, through the catheter and into the saline filled balloon. The seed will remain in the treatment position for about 10 minutes to deliver the prescribed radiation dose. When completed, the machine and catheter are disconnected leaving no radiation to remain in the lumpectomy cavity between treatments or after your final treatment. Oncology San Antonio offers APBI at our Downtown facility. |
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Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning & Simulation
Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning is used to map the organs and structures within the body. When a treatment plan is developed, a CT Simulation is necessary to acquire measurements and other technical data. The patient is positioned on the CT scanner table where multiple scans are performed to generate a digital 3-D reconstruction of the tumor area. The information collected during simulation helps the radiation oncologist and other staff prepare and deliver the radiation. Oncology San Antonio offers CT scanning services at our Downtown, Live Oak and Medical Center facilities.
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CyberKnife® Radiotherapy
The CyberKnife® Radiotherapy System consists of a robotic arm and a lightweight linear accelerator that continuously tracks, detects, and corrects for tumor and patient movement. It delivers focused beams from up to 200 different angles with sub-millimeter accuracy. The range range of motion that is possible with Cyberknife® system offers greater options to treat complex and surgically-inoperable tumors.
The robotic arm moves around the patient while the image-guidance system tracks the target tumor.
Gold markers or “seeds” about the size of a grain of rice are implanted in the tumor, which are individually tracked in order to guide the radiation toward the target. Oncology San Antonio offers CyberKnife® Radiotherapy at our Medical Center facility (Methodist Cancer Center). |
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Electron Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
Electron Beams Radiotherapy is an external radiation treatment method that is useful for certain sites such as the skin or tumors very close to the surface of the body. Electrons have a much different dose distribution than protons or x-rays and are adjusted through different means. As charged particles, they tend to interact with most atoms they encounter, as opposed to the uncharged photons which are modified more gradually.
Electrons are generated in a linear accelerator in nearly all cases, but instead of bombarding a target and creating electromagnetic radiation, the electrons pass into the treatment head for further modification. Oncology San Antonio offers EBRT at our Medical Center facility (Methodist Cancer Center). |
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GammaKnife® Radiosurgery
GammaKnife® Radiosurgery is a external beam device used to treat brain tumors with a high dose of radiation in one day and has proven effective for benign or malignant brain tumors, vascular malformations such as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), pain or other functional problems. It uses gamma rays focused through a target point in the patient's brain. The patient must wear a specialized helmet that is surgically fixed so that the tumor remains stationary during treatment. The dose of radiation is delivered to the tumor in one treatment session, while surrounding brain tissues are relatively spared. Oncology San Antonio offers GammaKnife® Radiotherapy at our Medical Center facility (Methodist Cancer Center). |
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High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy is another form of internal treatment that involves stronger doses of radiation through the use of temporary implants that are attached via catheters to an external radiation delivery source. The clinician monitors the delivery process and removes the catheters when the daily treatment is completed. Like seed implantation, a prescribed dose of radiation is delivered while minimizing side-effects because the radiation does not penetrate to the surrounding normal tissue. High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy can be effective with beast, prostate and gynecological cancers. Oncology San Antonio offers HDR at our Downtown facility. |
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Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) involves the use of multiple high-energy x-ray beams to target the tumor. The radiation beams are calculated in advance as part of a patient specific treatment plan to deliver precise radiation while minimizing the dose to the normal surrounding tissues. The strength of the beams can be adjusted as necessary depending on the size, location and stage of the cancer. Oncology San Antonio offers IMRT treatment at our Downtown, Live Oak and Medical Center facilities. |
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Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is a radiation treatment supported by enhanced graphic targeting. By targeting the treatment area using 2 and 3-D imagery, we can achieve better patient outcomes with fewer side effects. This is particularly useful when addressing prostate, breast, lung, spine, head/neck cancers and other sites in the body. The clinician can retarget the treatment area daily to, not only to overcome any movement of internal organs, but also to adjust for the change in size and shape of the cancer. Oncology San Antonio offers IGRT treatment at our Downtown, Live Oak and Medical Center facilities. |
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Low Dose-Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy (Seed Implants)
Low Dose-Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy involves the use of tiny radioactive isotopes called "seeds" that are permanently placed in the body. This form of treatment controls the dose and reduces exposure to the normal healthy tissues that surround the tumor. The relative amount of radiation is very low and over a period of time, implanted seeds lose their radioactivity and can remain in the body. In the early stages of prostate cancer, for example, seed implantation is often used as a stand alone treatment. Oncology San Antonio offers LDR at our Downtown facility. |
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