Phone: 574-647-7461 or 800-477-1548
External Beam Radiation Therapy
Treatments are delivered daily on two Linear Accelerators. In 2003, we installed a Varian 2100 EX delta. It is equipped with Muli-Leaf Collimation, portal imaging, 6 and 15 MV photon and multiple electron energies. In April 2006, the TRILOGY® was installed. The TRILOGY is the most technically advanced linear accelerator on the market. It has been featured in several national news articles. Along with Multi-Leaf Collimation and portal imaging, the TRILOGY also features the On-Board Imager and Cone Beam CT. Both of these features allow for "real time" imaging of the patient to accurately align the radiation beam. This is known as IGRT – Image Guided Radiation Therapy.
IMRT and 3D Treatment Planning
Varian's Eclipse planning system is used for radiation treatment planning. This allows for accurate tumor localization while sparing critical normal structures. This allows higher doses of radiation to treat the tumor while sparing normal tissue.
Respiratory Gating
This is a new advancement in radiation oncology. An infrared camera tracks the patient's breathing, sending a signal to the treatment machine. As the tumor moves out of the radiation beam, the machine shuts off. This allows the physician to treat a smaller area around the tumor, sparing more normal tissue. This can be used to treat lung or abdominal tumors that move with respiration.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy
These treatments allow the Radiation Oncologist to deliver a high dose of radiation in 1-5 treatments, while sparing normal tissue. This procedure is typically used to treat lung and liver tumors.
Prostate Treatments (3 options)
Option one is a Daily External Beam IMRT for approximately seven weeks. Prior to each treatment, the patient has a Cone-Beam CT scan, which allows the physician to center the treatment beam to the prostate gland, decreasing the dose to the bladder and rectum.
Another option is prostate HDR followed by five weeks of IMRT. Prostate HDR is a two-day treatment where catheters are inserted into the prostate in surgery. The patient is brought to the radiation oncology department where the catheters are hooked up to the High Dose Rate machine. A radiation source travels through the catheter, delivers the treatment, and then retracts back into the machine.
Prostate Seed Implants is another option. This is a procedure where the radiation oncologist surgically implants tiny radioactive seeds into the prostate gland. The procedure takes 1-3 hours, and typically, the patient goes home the same day.
Mammosite
A special balloon in placed inside the lumpectomy cavity and inflated to conform to the tissue. Radiation is guided through the balloon's catheter using the High Dose Rate machine. The patient receives Iridium 192 at 340cGy, twice a day for five days.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery is performed in conjunction with a Neurosurgeon and Radiation Oncologist to treat brain tumors. The Neurosurgeon places a head frame on the patient, which allows the Radiation Oncologist to treat a one time high dose of radiation to brain tumors, while sparing normal tissue.
High Dose Rate (HDR)
HDR is a machine with an Iridium 192 source, that allows the patient to receive high doses of radiation over a short duration.
