Radiation Therapy
Definition
Radiation therapy is a medical treatment that uses high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons, to destroy or damage cancer cells. It can be used as a primary treatment for cancer or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
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Gynecologic Radiotherapy
Our program has a long history of developing and utilizing various brachytherapy procedures for gynecologic malignancies. We evaluate patients in a multidisciplinary fashion in conjunction with physicians from Yale Cancer Center’s Gynecologic Oncology program. We recommend individualized treatment programs after consultation with both gynecologic oncology and radiation oncology services. Our team has significant experience in caring for and treating women with all types of gynecologic malignancies. Our available therapies include external beam radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and treatment strategies combining external beam and brachytherapy (both interstitial and intracavitary). Chemotherapy is also available and can be incorporated into treatment plans.Gastrointestinal Radiotherapy
Our radiation oncologists are experts in the management of esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatic, biliary, rectal, and anal cancers using both 3-D conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). We care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers using the latest in 4-D CT simulation and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) equipment to ensure that we deliver radiation treatment with precision and accuracy. A noninvasive technique, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can help some patients with tumors of the liver that cannot be treated with surgery or other local therapies. SBRT provides extremely high doses of radiation with a high level of accuracy to some liver cancer tumors. This precise treatment also results in less radiation delivered to surrounding tissue, with fewer side effects.Therapeutic Radiology
The Department of Therapeutic Radiology works closely with the Yale Cancer Center to comprehensively evaluate and treat patients in need of any form of radiation therapy. We are widely known for our innovative approach to treatment, and have extensive experience in the following specialized areas: Breast cancer radiotherapy Central nervous system radiotherapy Gastrointestinal radiotherapy Head and neck radiotherapy Pediatric radiotherapy Prostate and genitourinary cancer radiotherapy Spine radiosurgery Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery Thoracic radiotherapy Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) Our primary goal is to ensure our patients receive the right amount of radiation at the tumor site, with as little impact as possible on the surrounding healthy tissue. Our treatment planning program, also known as medical dosimetry, is focused on just that, providing a highly individualized external or internal radiation treatment course for each patient. Site of the only Gamma Knife® center in Connecticut One of the largest U.S. centers for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) First program in Connecticut to incorporate SpaceOAR hydrogel technology in prostate radiotherapy First and only program in New England to combine SpaceOAR technology with Calypso radiofrequency tracing for precision prostate surgery