Radiation Therapy
At SSM Health we specialize in offering patients personalized cancer treatment, with a proven track record of positive outcomes. One of the treatment options we specialize in is radiation therapy.
What is radiation therapy?
Imaging and radiation therapies are painless procedures that provide you with a more focused treatment. These procedures are designed to specifically place radiation in, or near, the tumor all while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Are there different types of radiation therapy?
SSM Health radiation oncologists are leaders in their field of radiation therapy. They use some of the latest radiation treatment options in the fight against cancer.
What are linear accelerators?
Linear accelerators, or linacs, are designed to treat cancerous and benign tumors. Linear accelerators work by delivering radiation therapy to tumors to destroy cancer cells while not harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
Please note not all treatments are available at all locations. Your doctor will provide you with the best treatment plan for your cancer journey.
An integral part of the linear accelerator, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of radiation therapy using 3D computed tomography (CT) images for a precise and effective delivery of radiation therapy. IMRT allows physicians to visually chart the location of the tumor and surrounding normal tissue while shaping the beams of radiation to the tumor. They then deliver high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells, while minimizing exposure to surrounding organs.
This therapy uses the linear accelerator to deliver small individual doses of radiation over multiple treatment sessions, so that the total accumulated dose is larger. It’s a precise and accurate delivery system. Each SBRT treatment is called a "fraction" and is sometimes called "fractionated" therapy.
SBRT is often used for treatment of tumors or lesions that may not respond well to surgery, chemotherapy, standard radiation or other treatments. For tumors and lesions in difficult locations, SBRT allows the physician to safely deliver high doses of radiation to the tumor while limiting dose to critical surrounding structures.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) uses computer guided radiation therapy system, directing highly focused beams of radiation into tumors and other abnormalities of the brain and other structures such as spine.
SRS is a non-surgical method utilizing a Stereotactic linear accelerator. It is performed with sophisticated technology using MRI and CT guided planning, specific tumor localization and highly technical delivery to ensure optimal effects to tumor while sparring normal tissues.
Radiosurgery is ideal for treating brain metastases, acoustic neuromas, and tumors located deep within the brain as very little radiation reaches normal brain structures or tissue, and there is minimal recovery time
TrueBeam™ from Varian delivers powerful tumor-destroying radiation therapy with precision and speed. The system gives SSM Health’s radiation oncologists and multidisciplinary teams the power to manage challenging cancers anywhere in the body, including the lung, abdomen, breast, and head and neck. It’s fast, powerful and it seamlessly integrates respiratory gating, imaging and treatment techniques.
Designed with the patient experience in mind, TrueBeam is quiet and provides a comfortable environment as the linear accelerator arcs over and around the patient. Enhanced communication technology enables a constant interaction between the patient and the therapist who operates the equipment.
What are image-guided radiation therapies?
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT, uses 2D and 3D imaging to determine the exact location of cancerous tumors before or during radiation therapy treatments. This on-board imaging tracks the tumor’s position as it may shift slightly. Radiation beams are adjusted to pinpoint the cancerous area, maximizing treatment to the cancerous cells and it is used to treat tumors that are likely to move such as lung cancers.
What is internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy. Brachytherapy allows us to direct the radioactive material inside or near the area requiring treatment. You can then receive a higher total dose of radiation, in a shorter period of time, to treat a smaller area. Using brachytherapy, the radioactive material can be placed and then removed, or permanently implanted, allowing radioactive levels to diminish on their own within several week or months.
What is CyberKnife® therapy and when is it used?
CyberKnife® is a non-invasive treatment option for patients with inoperable or surgically complex tumors. It is also commonly used for patients who are seeking an alternative to surgery or traditional radiation therapy. Learn more about CyberKnife® at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton.
What is TomoTherapy® and when is it used?
TomoTherapy®’s 360-degree fan-beam delivery of radiation therapy is a gold-standard treatment for targeting complex tumors. It precisely targets cancers that are challenging to treat because of where they are located in the body, including:
- Prostate cancer patients with hip replacements
- Breast cancers in close proximity to the heart
Cancers of the head and neck