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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays that target specific cancer sites. Our advanced technology allows us to precisely aim the radiation at the tumor while avoiding damage to the normal, healthy cells. Radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells, relieve symptoms associated with cancer, and/or prevent the cancer from returning.

Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Radiation can be delivered either from outside the body with a machine called a linear accelerator (external beam radiation) or from a radiation source implanted permanently or temporarily in the body (brachytherapy).

Different types of radiation – such as SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), 3-D CRT (3 Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy), Partial Breast Irradiation, and HDR (High Dose Radiation Therapy), as well as radiopharmaceuticals – are used to treat specific types of cancers.

Benefits of Radiation Therapy:

  • Pain Free Treatment Delivery
  • Non-Invasive
  • Custom Tailored Treatment Plan
  • Little to No Side Effects
  • Immediate Return to Daily Activities
  • Minimal Radiation Exposure to Adjacent Healthy Tissue

Factors our cancer care team considers when recommending treatment options include:

  • The type and subtype of cancer
  • The stage of the cancer (how far it has spread)
  • Results of other tests on the tumor, such as biomarkers, molecular profiling and genetic testing
  • The patient’s age
  • The patient’s overall health and current medications
  • Other serious health problems (such as heart, liver, or kidney diseases)
  • Types of cancer treatments given in the past

Radiation treatments offered include:

IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy)

Intensity modulated radiation therapy is a state of the art cancer treatment method that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the cancer cells in a very targeted way, much more precisely than is possible with conventional radiotherapy. IMRT involves varying the intensity of the radiation dose through a unique beam shaping device called a multileaf collimator (MLC). The MLC’s are dynamic (in-motion) allowing modulation of the dose fluence targeted at the cancerous tumor.

The Benefits of IMRT

  • Higher doses of radiation can be delivered directly to tumors and cancer cells, while surrounding organs and tissue are protected
  • Lower doses to healthy normal tissue may mean fewer complications or side effects
  • In prostate cancer studies, local tumor control rates were significantly improved. In addition, the use of IMRT significantly reduced treatment side effects
  • Physicians can treat cancers that were previously untreatable with radiotherapy
  • IMRT can be a non-invasive alternative to surgery
  • IMRT targets the tumor and not the entire body

IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy)

Image guided radiation therapy refers to the use of sophisticated imaging technologies to guide the delivery of precise forms of radiation therapy. Varian’s On-Board Imager® (OBI) imaging system offers three different imaging modalities to locate the targeted tumor every day prior to treatment. The imaging modes include:

  • Radiographic (two-dimensional)
  • Fluoroscopic (moving, in real time)
  • Cone-beam CT (three dimensional)

How It Works

The OBI imaging system is mounted on a pair of robotic arms. It then rotates around the body while the patient lays on the treatment table and takes low dose high resolution X-ray images prior to treatment. These new images are overlaid on top of the existing images in order to determine if the tumor has moved since the last treatment. Because tissue and organs can settle around bones differently each time the patient lies down on the treatment table, tumors can end up in a different position from one treatment session to another. In addition, tumors can move several centimeters due to a patient’s normal respiratory cycle. Once the tumor location has been determined, the table remotely moves and makes the adjustment to the targeted position.

The Benefits of IMRT

  • Higher doses of radiation can be delivered directly to tumors and cancer cells, while surrounding organs and tissues are protected
  • Lower doses to healthy normal tissue may mean fewer complications or side effects
  • In prostate cancer studies, local tumor control rates were significantly improved. In addition, the use of IMRT significantly reduced treatment side effects
  • Physicians can treat cancers that were previously untreatable with radiotherapy
  • IMRT can be a non-invasive alternative to surgery
  • IMRT targets the tumor and not the entire body

SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy)

Intensity modulated radiation therapy is a state of the art cancer treatment method that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the cancer cells in a very targeted way, much more precisely than is possible with conventional radiotherapy. IMRT involves varying the intensity of the radiation dose through a unique beam shaping device called a multileaf collimator (MLC). The MLC’s are dynamic (in-motion) allowing modulation of the dose fluence targeted at the cancerous tumor.

The Benefits of IMRT

  • Higher doses of radiation can be delivered directly to tumors and cancer cells, while surrounding organs and tissue are protected
  • Lower doses to healthy normal tissue may mean fewer complications or side effects
  • In prostate cancer studies, local tumor control rates were significantly improved. In addition, the use of IMRT significantly reduced treatment side effects
  • Physicians can treat cancers that were previously untreatable with radiotherapy
  • IMRT can be a non-invasive alternative to surgery
  • IMRT targets the tumor and not the entire body

Why Choose Us?

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with anal cancer, it is crucial to work with a team of cancer experts who not only have extensive experience, but also a strong track record for achieving the best possible outcome for their patients. While this type of cancer is treatable, the dedicated team Bardmoor Cancer Center will initially stage and treat this form of cancer and monitor and treat cancer recurrence or complications that may occur later.

At Bardmoor Cancer Center, our physicians are highly specialized in treating multiple types of cancer with the most advanced techniques. Using a team approach, we strive for excellence. We work with each patient to specifically tailor their treatment to their own clinical situation. One of the common diseases that we treat is anal cancer.

  • Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist currently taking new patients
  • Consultation appointments scheduled within 3-5 days of referral and in some cases same-day appointments available
  • Open, immediate access to outpatient symptom management
  • 24-hour physician coverage
  • We accept most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and VA
  • We treat everyone like family
  • We keep close tabs on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being because we care about the quality of your life