Cutting-Edge Radiation Therapy Technologies
Radiation Oncology
The Radiation Oncology Program is dedicated to providing the most highly advanced treatment available to cancer patients in Volusia and Flagler Counties, including external beam and brachytherapy radiation approaches.
The Radiation Oncology Program is dedicated to providing the most highly advanced treatment available to cancer patients in Volusia and Flagler Counties, including external beam and brachytherapy radiation approaches.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
This form of treatment delivers high doses of radiation from an external
radiation source which specifically targets the affected cancer site and
minimizes the dose to surrounding normal tissue. Examples of external
beam therapy include:
This form of treatment delivers high doses of radiation from an external
radiation source which specifically targets the affected cancer site and
minimizes the dose to surrounding normal tissue. Examples of external
beam therapy include:
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) - A non-invasive, outpatient procedure that enables physicians to treat head and brain lesions without the risks of surgery. SRS emits finely focused beams of gamma radiation with minimal effect on surrounding normal tissue and without the usual risks of surgery or an incision. SRS maximizes patient comfort and can be used to treat lesions that were previously considered inaccessible or were treated unsuccessfully by conventional surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) - Offering a state-of-the-art delivery system, IGRT enables doctors to choose the most
appropriate treatment modality for treating cancer in the body, head or neck, and delivers the full spectrum of treatments, all on one machine.
Additional benefits include:
Respiratory Gating - Pinpoints the tumor position, since tumors can move several centimeters during a patient's normal breathing cycle.
Computer-assisted Robotic Positioning - Pinpoints a tumor's exact location and determines if a tumor has moved since the last treatment. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - IMRT combines the highest level of patient comofrt with fewer side effects than standard radiation therapy. It is a highly precise radiation instrument that spares normal tissue, allows for superior dosing and treats tumors near critical areas. Electron Beam Therapy - This treatment uses electrons to allow the physician to treat shallow areas without delivering significant radiation to underlying normal tissues.
Brachytherapy Approaches
Brachytherapy involves implanting tiny pellets containing radioactive
materials directly into the center of the cancer. The pellets emit radiation. FHCI offers Mammosite, SAVI™, cervical and vaginal cancer treatment, and prostate seeds.
Brachytherapy involves implanting tiny pellets containing radioactive
materials directly into the center of the cancer. The pellets emit radiation. FHCI offers Mammosite, SAVI™, cervical and vaginal cancer treatment, and prostate seeds.
SAVI™ Breast Cancer Brachytherapy Applicator
SAVI™ delivers radiation from inside the breast, only targeting tissue where cancer is most likely to occur. Since each catheter individually delivers radiation, treatment is customized to the patient. SAVI™ enables doses to be contoured to size, shape and location. Treatment can be completed in five days and radiation exposure to healthy tissue and organs is minimized. Upon completion of treatment, most women can resume normal daily activities.
Treatment Planning
3-D Simulation and Treatment Planning: This computerized planning
technique utilizes three-dimensional imaging to visualize the tumor and critical structures so that an optimal treatment plan can be designed.
3-D Simulation and Treatment Planning: This computerized planning
technique utilizes three-dimensional imaging to visualize the tumor and critical structures so that an optimal treatment plan can be designed.
Multi-modality Image Fusion
A computerized planning technique that electronically incorporates
anatomical data from different imaging modalities (such as CT, MRI, PET);
this approach provides more clinical information for treatment planning than any single modality.
