Radiation

Radiation oncology involves the exposure of cancer cells to high doses of radiation with the ultimate goal being that of killing the tumor. It is a targeted, localized treatment that can be used alone as well as in conjunction with other treatments, including surgery or chemotherapy.

Radiation oncology is used for several purposes:

• To cure the cancer by eradicating the disease

• To control the growth of the cancer

• To prevent the spread of the cancer

There are two types of radiation oncology: external beam radiation and internal radiation.

External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation involves high-energy beams aimed directly at the tumor in order to destroy the cancer cells' ability to grow and multiply. Careful and precise, external beam radiation specifically targets the cancer region, allowing normal, healthy tissue to recover.

External beam radiation offers a virtual therapeutic arsenal of treatment, including its newest weapon: IMRT.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
The Cancer Treatment Center offers Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT - one of the most important breakthroughs in external beam radiation and cancer treatment in more than 30 years. St. Vincent Medical Center was the first community based tertiary institution to offer IMRT in the Southern California basin.

IMRT uses sophisticated computer software to deliver thousands of precisely placed radiation beams that specifically target the cancer tumor while sparing healthy surrounding tissue and organs. Assisted by advanced three-dimensional imaging technology and treatment planning systems, physicians and physicists manipulate the intensity of the radiation, allowing for simultaneous treatment to different parts of the cancer site. By utilizing varying levels of power, IMRT can be used to treat oddly shaped tumors as well as those tumors that have spread to critical organs.

Types of cancer that might benefit from IMRT include:

• Lung

• Prostate

• Brain

• Pancreatic/biliary

• Spine

• Head and neck

• Gynecological

• Liver

In addition, many people who have previously received conventional radiation therapy and have recurrent cancer can be treated with IMRT-based radiation therapy.

For more information on radiation oncology, contact the Cancer Treatment Center.

Click here for a virtual tour of IMRT room.