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• Simulation
• Radiation treatments must be precise. Simulation is the process of measuring the patient's anatomy and marking the skin to help the radiation oncology team in directing the beams of radiation safely and exactly. During the simulation the patient is placed on the simulation machine table in the exact position they will be in for your treatment. Marks may be placed in the treatment area for treatment. Immobilization devices may be used to help in reproducing the exact treatment position each day.
• The Radiation Oncologist may use a special treatment planning CT scan simulation to plan the treatment. The physician works with the team to ensure that the tumor receives the maximum radiation dose as possible while limiting dose to healthy surrounding tissue.
• 3-D treatment planning allows radiation beam to be shaped to match the shape and size of the area to be treated.
• IMRT or intensity modulated radiation therapy allows the radiation oncologist to customize the dose of radiation by varying or modulating the amount of radiation given to different portions of the treatment area.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy or the actual treatment
• The Reid Hospital & Health Care Services Radiation Oncology Center has two Varian Linear Accelerators. www.VARIA N .com A NEW Varian IX is coming to Reid in 2006. This machine is Varian's newest in state-of-the-art technology. This new machine will have IGRT, cone beam CT, and respiratory gaiting.
• These are the machines that deliver the radiation treatment. They have a Multi-Leaf Collimator or MLC. The MLC is a device that is made up of as many as 120 computer-controlled tungsten leaves or finely shaped plates. They are located in the head of the treatment machine where the beam comes out. It customizes the shape of the beam for each patient.
• Brachytherapy
• This is the use of radioactive isotopes that are either placed in or as close to the tumor as possible.
• The radiation source can be left in permanently or temporarily depending on the type of source your physician prescribes for your treatment.
• Some of the cancers that brachytherapy can be used to treat include breast, esophageal, gynecological, lung, prostate and sarcoma.
• HDR (High Dose Remote Afterloading) (Coming to Reid Hospital in 2006)
• LDR (Low Dose Remote Afterloading) is used to treat certain types of cancer. Patients are admitted to the hospital to receive this type of treatment. The course of treatment is 48-72 hours in duration.
• Prostate Seed Implant
• This is a specific type of brachytherapy for prostate cancer. It is the placement of permanent tiny radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland. This treatment for prostate cancer is not appropriate for all types of prostate cancer. A consultation with a radiation oncologist will determine if a patient is a candidate for this type of treatment.
• BAT or B-mode ultrasound acquisition and targeting system
• This is a tool that is used for positioning patients. It utilizes ultrasound to precisely target the patient's organs so a higher dose of radiation to the tumor can be delivered with less risk of damaging healthy surrounding tissue while minimizing side effect.