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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles, such as photons and electrons, to destroy cancer cells and help shrink tumors in different parts of the body. The radiation causes irreparable damage to the DNA of cancer cells, causing cell death. While radiation can also damage healthy cells nearby, healthy cells have the ability to repair themselves.

Radiation therapy can be used to treat many types of cancer. Your radiation oncologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan uniquely tailored to your needs.

Types of Radiation Therapy 

At St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, we offer you leading radiation techniques and technology, as well as a team of skilled, compassionate experts treating your cancer and offering support and encouragement for you and your family throughout your cancer journey.

External Radiation

  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - IMRT uses multiple radiation beams and angles, together with highly complex blocking, to control the shape and intensity of radiation. The ability to focus a higher dose on the tumor, while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and critical structures of the body, increases the effectiveness of the radiation and reduces side effects. 
  • Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) - Before treatment begins, we capture a series of X-ray images to ensure that you are aligned in the correct position to accomplish highly precise radiation delivery.
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery - This technique delivers a very precise (sub-millimeter), high dose of radiation to small tumors in the brain.

Internal Radiation

  • Brachytherapy - Brachytherapy delivers a sealed radioactive source inside your body directly to the tumor, allowing for a concentrated dose to a small area. We can implant radioactive seeds directly into the prostate, or deliver high-dose brachytherapy through catheters to treat breast, prostate, and gynecological cancers. Working with neurosurgeons, sealed sources can now be implanted into the resection bed of brain tumors at the time of surgery (GammaTile®).
  • Radionuclide Therapy - This type of medication is delivered intravenously and targets cancer cells by travelling through the bloodstream. Medications are available for targeting thyroid tumors (Iodine 131) and neuroendocrine tumors (Lutathera®), as well as metastatic prostate cancer (Pluvicto®).

Advanced Radiation Technology

  • 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy

    This technology shapes radiation beams to closely fit the cancer area. Treatment is planned in three dimensions to allow for tumor coverage and avoidance of as much healthy tissue as possible, reducing the risk of side effects.

  • Varian True Beam

    Offered at all St. Luke's radiation treatment locations, TrueBeam® uses precise imaging and beam control to treat tumors quickly, accurately, and non-invasively. It's used on cancers of the head and neck, lung, breast, prostate, liver, and more.

  • BSTX and Novalis Tx Radiosurgery 

    This technology delivers radiation therapy with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing the risk of harm to surrounding healthy tissue. It offers improved patient comfort, shorter treatment times, fewer visits, and fewer side effects.

Specialties

  • Radiation Oncology
    Radiation therapy for cancer treatment using state-of-the-art, highly accurate technology.

  • Supportive Oncology

    Programs and resources to help promote healing, reduce stress, and manage cancer treatment side effects and symptoms.

Support Groups

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  • Living Through Cancer Support Group

    Support Groups

    An ongoing support program for people with cancer and their loved ones. Share your challenges and discuss topics that influence health and well-being.

Articles & Resources

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