Radiation therapy treatment

External beam radiation therapy is a collective name for several modalities that use advanced systems to target high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells.

IMRT is an advanced form of radiation therapy where the beams of radiation are very precisely shaped to exactly match your tumor, limiting the damage to adjacent healthy tissues. IMRT enables higher doses to be delivered to cancer cells, improving outcomes in terms of local control of the tumor and improved quality of life with fewer to no short-term and long-term side effects.

At GenesisCare IMRT is provided as standard, unlike other providers. We find a way to use IMRT for all tumors because we believe it’s what we would want if we or a family member or friend needed radiation therapy. Additionally, all IMRT is delivered with IGRT to ensure the precision of our radiation treatment.

VMAT is an advanced form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) that results in a much faster, highly accurate treatment delivery as the machine treats as it moves around you. In some cases, the time spent on the treatment table is half that of other systems, meaning less movement of internal organs and greater accuracy in the overall treatment process. GenesisCare utilizes VMAT at all locations where the technology is available.

A PET/CT scan is a precise diagnostic imaging technique that combines a PET scan and a CT scan to create detailed 3D images of the inside of your body to help identify the location of your cancer. We use PET/CT scans for many types of cancer and during different parts of your cancer journey. It is more accurate in diagnosing cancer than a PET scan or CT scan alone.

IGRT is a type of radiation therapy which uses advanced imaging techniques (e.g. CT or MRI scanning) before and during each treatment session to ensure you are correctly positioned and your tumor is precisely targeted. IGRT is particularly useful for treating cancers that move during or between treatment sessions, such as the lung and prostate. All radiation therapy at GenesisCare is delivered with IGRT.

SBRT is a highly advanced form of radiation therapy and it’s often used as an alternative to surgery. Extremely focused high-energy radiation beams are used to destroy tumors in fewer treatment sessions than other forms of radiation therapy, sometimes five or less. SBRT has been shown to be highly effective for late-stage cancers enabling patients previously considered incurable to be offered long-term and curative outcomes. GenesisCare offers SBRT at all its treatment locations.

SRS is a non-surgical treatment for primary and secondary brain tumors that precisely delivers multiple beams of radiation to the target site in very few treatment sessions. This advanced radiation therapy technique directs high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy, avoiding the surrounding healthy brain tissue and reducing the likelihood of side effects. SRS is delivered in the outpatient setting, meaning no hospitalization or anesthesia is required. Most treatments are delivered in around 45 minutes and only require one to three sessions.

SGRT uses sophisticated 3D camera technology to help correctly position you for treatment without the need for permanent tattoos. SGRT can also monitor unintended movements you make during treatment and pause the radiation until you are back in the correct position.

SGRT is also used in breast cancer as part of a modern technique known as deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). When a patient is in deep inspiration and holds their breath during treatment (for around 20 to 30 seconds), the heart is protected from higher doses of radiation resulting a reduced likelihood of cardiac side effects. DIBH can also be used for other cancers including liver, lung and kidney to manage motion or internal organ movement. GenesisCare is delivering SGRT with IMRT and IGRT to ensure the most accurate radiation therapy is delivered to improve outcomes for all patients.

HDR brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy that is commonly used alongside other treatments for cancer. It involves placing a small amount of radioactive material into or next to the tumor, which is removed following each treatment session. HDR brachytherapy a very safe and effective treatment for cancer.

LDR brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy which is commonly used to treat prostate cancer. Small radioactive seeds are permanently implanted into the tumor and slowly release radiation over several days or weeks delivering a highly effective anti-cancer treatment. The seeds remain radioactive for a short time only, becoming inert (non-radioactive) across one to two weeks.

Electronic brachytherapy is a skin cancer treatment that delivers a targeted dose of X-ray radiation to the cancer site through a probe on your skin. Benefits of this procedure included excellent cosmetic outcomes and minimal side effects, making it a great alternative to surgery.

MRIgRT is a treatment option for many cancers combining MRI scanning and precision radiation therapy. MRIgRT uses MRI scanning technology attached to the treatment machine to identify the tumor immediately before treatment. This enables the staff to adapt the treatment plan at each session, ensuring the tumor is entirely encompassed by the radiation beams and surrounding normal tissues are protected. Using this process of adapting the plan each day, higher doses of radiation can be delivered at each treatment session resulting in treatment being completed in around one to two weeks only.  GenesisCare has access to MRIgRT services in select regions across the US. You should discuss the role of MRIgRT with your oncologist. Access and support can be arranged if required.

The MRIdian®'s smart technology combines high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques with extremely precise radiation beams that can treat tumors more accurately than conventional radiation therapy. This can mean fewer treatment sessions, reduced side effects and a greater chance of an improved outcome.

MRIdian® is suitable for:

1. Pancreas Cancer
2. Prostate Cancer 
3. Lung Cancer 
4. Liver Cancer
5. Breast Cancer
6. Oligometastatic Cancer
7. Kidney Cancer

CyberKnife is a highly advanced radiation therapy system which uses an intelligent robot to deliver radiation beams from over 200 carefully selected angles to ensure your tumor is precisely targeted and important normal structures and tissues protected. The intelligent part of the robot can track movement as it happens in the body and make the necessary adjustments for even greater precision. CyberKnife is available at key locations across the GenesisCare network. You should discuss the role of CyberKnife with your Oncologist. Access and support can be arranged if required.

Gamma Knife is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and uses tiny beams of gamma radiation to treat tumors, vascular malformations and other abnormalities of the brain with sub-millimeter precision to avoid damage to healthy brain tissue. It is often used to control secondary brain cancer – where cancer has spread to the brain from a primary cancer – and for tumors that can’t easily be reached with surgery. Gamma Knife is delivered in an outpatient setting and no anesthesia or overnight hospital stay is needed. Most treatments are delivered in around 45 minutes and only require one to three sessions.

Tomotherapy is a type of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). It combines the technologies of a CT scanner and a linear accelerator machine to provide three dimensional (3D) images that help to accurately target a tumor.

An advanced radiation therapy technique used after breast conserving surgery for early breast cancers.

Electronic brachytherapy is a skin cancer treatment that delivers a targeted dose of X-ray radiation to the cancer site through a probe on your skin. Benefits of this procedure included excellent cosmetic outcomes and minimal side effects, making it a great alternative to surgery.

Keloid are scars in which the scar-forming tissue has overgrown. They are benign (non-cancerous), and are typically lumpy and raised. They are often painless but may be tender or itchy. While the cause is not fully understood, they are often associated with a skin injury, such as surgical incision, piercing, burn, scratch, cut, injection or bug bite. Keloids do not turn into cancers and are not contagious.