State-of-the-Art Technology & Treatment
Depending on the type and location of cancer, Saint Mary's state-of-the-art technology is able to provide the most focused radiation fields to minimize injury to other surrounding body tissues.
CT Simulator
All simulations start with a special CT scan, which allows us to define the target region three-dimensionally and in relationship to normal tissue that we try to avoid. The CT scanner takes digital pictures of a patient's tumor site for use in planning the radiation treatment. The process usually takes two visits. On the first visit, the area of interest is digitally scanned and the images sent to your radiation oncologist and other treatment planning experts. The radiation oncologist will define in three-dimensional space the area to be treated, and normal tissues to avoid. Considerable planning and physics calculations are performed by the physics team. On the second visit, the treatment set-up is verified, and reference marks (pinpoint tattoos) are placed on the patient. These marks will be used to assure pinpoint accuracy of the radiation treatment. Altogether, this process takes approximately one to two hours.
Linear Accelerator
The ONCORTM Avant Garde Linear Accelerator, manufactured by Siemens Medical Solutions, is used to deliver streams of radiation to a specific part of a patient's body. During each treatment, the patient is positioned on the treatment table using laser lights and the patient's reference marks to assure pinpoint accuracy. The patient is left alone in the treatment room while radiation is being delivered, but closely monitored by visually on a video monitor. An audio intercom also keeps the patient in constant contact with the therapist. In general, each treatment visit lasts approximately 15 minutes. However, some treatments may require more time, such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which focuses multiple radiation beams directly on the tumor itself. The intensity of these very precise beams can vary so that highest possible dose is used with reduced potential damage to surrounding tissues. The difference between IMRT and conventional radiation therapy is that the avoidance of normal tissue, in addition to precisely locating the target region, is taken into account when planning your treatment.
High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)
The HDR machine inserts a small radioactive "seed" (in this case Iridium-192) into the area of treatment through special applicators that are placed into body tissues or cavities as an outpatient, or occasionally in the operating room. Each HDR treatment lasts 5-10 minutes, and the radiation source is removed once treatment is completed. The patient is not radioactive when he or she leaves the treatment room. This form of internal radiation allows the delivery of higher doses to the tumor region while sparing normal tissues better. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (MammoSite®) is a form of HDR for certain patients with breast cancer. It shortens a six week course of daily external radiation into ten outpatient treatments given over five days. HDR replaces inpatient gynecologic procedures lasting several days with 3-6 short outpatient procedures. It is equally effective while increasing convenience for the patient. HDR also is an excellent option for many men with prostate cancer, usually in conjunction with external radiation.
Permanent Seed Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer
This is another form of brachytherapy where 60-100 tiny Iodine 125 or Palladium 103 seeds are inserted into the prostate during an outpatient surgery lasting less than an hour. Most men are able to return to work and resume normal activity within days after this curative cancer treatment. This is an excellent option for many, with proven long-term effectiveness. In some cases, permanent seed brachytherapy may be combined with five weeks of external radiation.
