Our Staff Makes the Difference

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be confusing, overwhelming and even frightening. Thinking about treatment options can be a daunting task. Fortunately, recent advances have made it possible to treat cancer more precisely and effectively than ever before. Radiation therapy is no exception -- radiation can be delivered with pinpoint accuracy on tumors, leaving much of the surrounding healthy tissue intact. Our staff of radiation oncologists, nurses, technologists and radiation physicists will help you and your family through this process.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is often an integral part of treating cancer. In fact, more than half of all cancer patients undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment programs, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as surgery and chemotherapy.

How does radiation therapy destroy cancer cells?

During therapy, tumors are exposed to radiation, either from an external or implanted source. Cancer cells that have been treated with radiation are unable to reproduce because their DNA is damaged. When these cells die, they are absorbed harmlessly by the body.

When and why is radiation used to treat cancer?

Radiation therapy may be used to slow tumor growth, to prevent cancer from spreading or recurring, or to relieve any pain or other symptoms caused by the disease. Sometimes it is given before surgery so less tissue needs to be removed; sometimes it is given post-operatively to destroy any cancerous cells that remain. Certain cancers, such as prostate and larynx cancer, can be treated with radiation alone.

Who are radiation oncologists?

Radiation oncologists are physicians who have been specially trained to treat cancer using radiation therapy. They work together with other members of the treatment team, which may include general practitioners, surgeons and medical oncologists, to help patients through this difficult time.

Our staff is headed by Dr. Marc Adams, Chief of Radiation Oncology, who has had the distinguished honor of being named by Castle & Connolly as one of New York's leading physicians. He is joined by Dr. Hoon Lee, a graduate of MD Anderson Cancer Center, who has extensive experience with IMRT.

Visit Regional Radiology for Regional Imaging and Therapeutic Radiology Services.

What kind of radiation therapy do I need?

Radiation may be delivered from an external source during external beam radiation therapy (EBT) or it may be received from an implant in internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy. In both cases, the goal is to target tumors with sufficient radiation while protecting healthy tissue from damage. The kind and duration of radiation therapy recommended for a patient depend on a number of factors, including the type and extent of the tumor being treated. Types of cancer that are frequently treated with radiation therapy include:

• Breast cancer. Radiation may be used on part of the breast, the entire breast or areas near the breast such as lymph nodes. Treatment often follows mastectomy/lumpectomy and chemotherapy to ensure eradication of cancer cells. IMRT is used to minimize skin irritation.
  
• Prostate cancer. Radiation allows for precise treatment without affecting nearby organs such as the bladder and rectum. Treatment may also involve hormone therapy. Advanced treatment modalities such as Tomotherapy, IMRT and intraoperative radioactive seed implants (brachytherapy) are typically used.
  
• Colorectal cancer. Radiation is given alongside chemotherapy before or after surgery. Tomotherapy or IMRT is often used.
  
• Head and neck cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy are often used with or without surgery. Most patients undergo Tomotherapy or IMRT to spare critical normal tissues.
  
• Lung cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy are often employed to treat small cell lung cancer and may be combined with surgery for non-small cell lung cancer. PET/CT simulation, 4-D radiation therapy, Tomotherapy, and IMRT are used.
  
• Brain tumors. Radiation may eliminate the need for invasive surgery in the brain. Tomotherapy or IMRT is often used.