Cardinal Health System, Inc. Types of Radiation Offered

types of radiation

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a precise form of radiation therapy used for the treatment of a variety of neurosurgical problems. Stereotactic radiosurgery uses information obtained from CT scans, MRI scans and/or angiograms to localize the area to be treated. Stereotactic radiosurgery uses this localization information along with various radiation delivery technologies to deliver a high dose of radiation to a specific area of the brain, while avoiding significant radiation to the surrounding tissues. Stereotactic radiosurgery usually, but not always, consists of a single treatment, and patients are frequently able to go home the same day.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

This is the most common type of radiation therapy. In this procedure, radiation is delivered using a "linear accelerator" to stop the growth of cancer cells by directing a radiation beam from outside the body to reach the cancer. The radiation treatments are spread out using short sessions over several weeks to minimize damage to adjacent normal tissues (typically once a day, five days a week).

With computer technology advances over the last several years, the use of body imaging, such as CT scans and MRIs, allow the creation of three-dimensional models of a patient's body from these images. With this information, multiple beams can be mapped out to intersect at the tumor site. Calculations are performed so beams can be shaped to avoid treating surrounding tissue and to deliver an optimal customized radiation dose the patient. This is commonly referred to as 3-D treatment planning, or image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT).

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the most recent improvement in external beam radiation therapy. It is a more precise form of 3-D treatment planning, only appropriate for certain cancers, which uses varying beam intensities to send radiation dose to the tumor site from the most favorable paths. The calculations are done with an inverse planning technique (allowing definition of treatment constraints to certain body tissues) while optimizing appropriate radiation doses to the tumor. These radiation beams are delivered in approximately 300 different segments, focusing the radiation on the tumor better than conventional approaches. This method of radiation therapy allows higher doses of radiation to be delivered to the tumor, while minimizing damage to surrounding normal structures. With IMRT technology, patients can experience significantly lower treatment-related side effects, while offering the potential for higher cure rates.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is the treatment of cancer with a radioactive source applied in or near the tumor. This treatment is an option for certain types of cancer. There are several different methods used to give this type of treatment. It may be delivered as a monotherapy, or combined with external beam therapy. Two brachytherapy procedures commonly performed at Ball Memorial Hospital are ultrasonically-guided permanant seed implants for prostate cancer and remote afterloaded high-dose-rate brachytherapy for several types of cancer. Patient specific education material is provided and discussed with everyone receiving seed implants.

Ultrasonically-guided prostate seed brachytherapy
uses an ultrasound probe, tiny seeds (about the size of a grain of rice) containing radioactive material that are permanently implanted directly into the prostate gland where they give off low level radiation continuously for about one year. The implant does not require surgical incision, and relatively little radiation reaches the adjacent healthy tissue. This procedure is normally performed on an outpatient basis, allowing the patient to go home the same day of the procedure and resume normal activities within several days.

High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
A High-Dose Remote Afterloading System, which has been in extensive use worldwide for more than a decade, delivers rapid treatment compared to low dose rate treatments, which are delivered continuously over several days. A precise dosage of radiation, as prescribed by your physician, is automatically delivered through an applicator which is positioned in the body. The hospital staff monitors your treatment and maintains contact with you throughout the procedure. After your treatment, the system returns the radioactive source into the protective storage unit of the remote afterloading machine. Depending on the treatment site, you should be able to return home and to normal activity immediately following your treatment.

This procedure gives physicians and patients the significant advantage of applying a higher dose of radiation directly to the tumor, while sparing healthy tissue and surrounding organs. As a result, this course of treatment is much shorter and more comfortable than other cancer treatments and is often performed on an outpatient basis. HDR brachytherapy is used alone or in combination with other treatment methods, such as external beam radiation. You and your physician will decide if this treatment method is appropriate for your situation

The Cancer Center

Ball Memorial Hospital

2401 W. University Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303

(765) 751-1449