Radiation Therapy Technology for Treating Cancer

Breast cancer requires a multi-disciplinary team working in lock-step to provide optimal outcomes. Our team of nationally known breast cancer specialists will determine which of the numerous treatment options we have available is right for you.

Shared-decision making is core to our philosophy, and our goal is for each patient to feel informed and part of the team. We ensure patients have access to the latest trials using novel DNA repair inhibitors, immunotherapy, and biomarker-driven trials with genomics to potentially de-escalate or omit radiotherapy in well selected patients.

We use the latest treatment technologies, including intra-operation radiation (IORT), proton beam, partial breast, and ultra-hypofractionated treatments in just 5 sessions for the appropriate patient.

Whether a tumor originates in the brain or spine or spreads (metastasizes) from another part of the body, hearing you having a tumor or cancer in your brain or spine is scary. Our multi-disciplinary team of experts understands the need for incredible accuracy and timely coordination of care to yield the best functional outcomes.

We are leaders in novel imaging, surgical, medical, and radiotherapy treatment approaches at UH Seidman Cancer Center. Our patients have access to a large clinical trial portfolio to ensure that we give every patient the best chance for improved outcomes.

We offer stereotactic radiosurgery using Gamma Knife, brain brachytherapy with GammaTile, proton beam therapy, and image-guided intensity modulated radiotherapy for both primary and metastatic tumors of the central nervous system.

Examples of GI cancers: Esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small and large intenstine, rectum, and anus

Although the GI system is comprised of dozens of different cancer types, our multidisciplinary team has broad and specialized expertise to manage every type.

Some tumors require surgery or radiotherapy alone, while other require combinations of systemic therapy, radiotherapy with or without surgery. The complexities of these tumor types cannot be understated and require expert care to achieve maximal success. We pride ourselves in leading national clinical trials to make available the latest treatment options.

We offer image-guided intensity modulated radiotherapy, an array of motion assessment and management tools to ensure what we want to treat is actually what is treated, stereotactic body radiotherapy in 5 or fewer treatments, and intraoperative radiotherapy in conjunction with our surgical team.

Cancers of the gynecological system involve cancers originating in the uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Each of these cancers require a specialized team with vastly different treatment paradigms. These tumors are often near many healthy and important structures, such as the bladder, rectum, and large or small intestines. This means that highly accurate treatment is critical to avoid unwanted collateral damage to other organs.

Radiotherapy plays an important, and often curative, role in the management of many gynecological cancers. Our experienced radiation oncology team work closely with our large multi-disciplinary group of specialists, including gynecologic surgeons, medical oncologists, genetic councilors, fertility specialists, sexual function and gynecological health experts.

Unlike most cancers, some gynecological cancers require the use of internal radiotherapy or brachytherapy to achieve cure. We have substantial experience in the use of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, as well as intra-operation radiation (IORT), intensity modulated and image-guided radiotherapy, and proton beam radiotherapy for the appropriate patient.

There are over 20 types of cancers of the head and neck that can involve the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, thyroid gland, major and minor salivary glands, and more. These cancers often require a highly experienced sub-specialized multi-disciplinary team of experts to maximize and cure and quality of life.

Radiotherapy is a key component in the management of the majority of cancers of the head and neck and we use all tools available to result in the best outcomes, whether that be image-guided radiotherapy, proton beam, or even brachytherapy in select cases. Our patients have access to a large clinical trial portfolio of novel combination treatment approaches and new treatment de-intensification strategies when appropriate to ensure that we give every patient the best chance for improved outcomes.

We offer image-guided intensity modulated radiotherapy with volumetric arch therapy, proton beam, electron beam, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and brachytherapy for cancers of the head and neck when appropriate.

Lung cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer and the number one cause of cancer death in the United States. Thus, we here at UH Seidman Cancer Center take this diagnosis seriously, and our multi-disciplinary team of world renowned experts will work one-on-one with each patient and their family to get the best treatment available.

UH Seidman has one of the leading phase I trial programs in the nation, and we are constantly testing novel targeted therapies, immunotherapies, radiotherapies, and combination approaches to benefit our patients.

Many patients can now safely and effectively be treated with as few as a single treatment of non-invasive highly accurate radiotherapy, and many more in less than 10 treatments. We offer image-guided radiotherapy with intensity modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and proton beam radiotherapy. We use 4-dimensional scans and motion management strategies to ensure our radiation goes exactly where we want it.

Every man is different, and every man’s prostate cancer is different. Thus, treatment must be carefully selected and personalized for each patient. This is exactly what our expert prostate cancer multi-disciplinary team will provide.

We make sure you know the details of your cancer and undergo the right tests. Unlike many programs where there is non-coordinated care between specialties, we work as a true multi-disciplinary team for you.

We leverage when necessary state-of-the-art molecular imaging, genomic tests, clinical trials, and treatments to maximize both cure and quality of life. Many patients can safely and effectively be treated with only 5 treatments of non-invasive highly accurate radiotherapy. We offer both internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), image-guided radiotherapy with intensity modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and proton beam radiotherapy.

We offer a comprehensive delivery of brachytherapy, or the internal placement of radiotherapy. Brachytherapy is delivered most commonly through placement of radioactive seeds or sources internally to treat cancer. We offer this for prostate cancer, multiple gynecological cancers, and are one of a select number of centers using brain brachytherapy with GammaTile. We offer both low dose rate (LDR) and high dose rate (HDR) for appropriate indications.

We uniquely have equipment from both Varian and Elekta, the two dominant linear accelerator companies, to deliver best in class image guided radiotherapy with photons (x-rays). Our fleet can deliver 3-dimensional radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body (or ablative) radiotherapy (SBRT or SABR), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

We offer particle therapy in the form of proton beam. Less than 5% of cancer centers in the USA offer proton beam therapy. We uniquely positioned our proton therapy unit directly connecting to our world-class Rainbow Babies & Children’s hospital, given the strongest recommendations for protons to date remain for children and young adults with cancer. Proton beam, unlike photons (x-rays), has unique properties that can allow less dose of radiotherapy to certain healthy tissues. This may be advantageous in select cancer types, while in others may have minimal to no advantage. By having access to a wide array of the latest technology our team can personalize the right treatment for each patient.

Radiosurgery uses highly focused beams of radiation (gamma rays, X-rays or protons) to treat cancerous tissues without a surgical incision or opening. Radiosurgery is called a “surgery” because a single outpatient treatment session achieves a result similar to surgical removal of tumor tissue, usually with fewer side effects. We offer both the Gamma Knife and Varian Edge radiosurgery platforms.