Radiation Oncology
The Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital offers a wide
range of state-of-the-art radiation therapy options – including
the most advanced technology available.
Radiation therapy is one of the most common cancer treatments, used for
more than half of people with cancer – either alone or with another
cancer treatment. If your cancer can be treated with radiation therapy,
our radiation oncology team will develop a personalized treatment plan
that includes the right treatment option and approach for your type of
cancer. We will discuss with you the details of your cancer, the radiation
treatment we will use and what to expect from your treatment.
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Call us Today 561-955-5966
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How does radiation therapy work?
Our radiation oncologists work with your cancer treatment team to determine
the best approach – external or internal – and develop a schedule
for your treatments.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays, electrons, or other sources
of radiation to target and destroy or damage cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiation is delivered to the cancer cells either externally or internally.
- External radiation therapy uses machines to direct the beam of radiation
to specific areas of the body where cancer cells are present.
- Internal radiation therapy places radioactive sources into the tumor or
as close to the tumor site as possible.
Our approach to radiation therapy treatment planning
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, either alone or with another
cancer treatment. As a member of your multimodality cancer treatment team,
our radiation oncologists know the treatments you’ve received –
surgery, chemotherapy, etc. – and the outcome of each treatment.
Our radiation oncology team knows each patient and each cancer is unique.
That’s why the whole radiation therapy team comes together to design
your treatment plan.
Before you start radiation therapy, you will meet with the radiation oncologist,
who will review your cancer treatment plan and the results of any treatments
you’ve already completed. Depending on the type and location of
the cancer, your physician will determine the best approach – internal
or external – and modality (machine or equipment) to use for your
radiation treatment.
Once the approach to your radiation treatment is determined, you will come
in for treatment simulation. This is a treatment planning CT scan for
your radiation therapy and helps your team know exactly where to send
the radiation. Your treatment plan is designed after simulation and includes
the amount of radiation and beam targeting used for each treatment and
the number of treatments you will need.
What radiation therapy treatments are used at the Lynn Cancer Institute?
Depending on your personalized treatment plan, your radiation therapy may
include the use of the Lynn Cancer Institute’s state-of-the-art
machines and techniques to deliver radiation externally, including:
-
Radiosurgery, using:
- Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
-
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), using:
Other radiation therapy options include:
-
Brachytherapy
-
Radioimmunotherapy/drug therapies
- TheraSphere®
- SIR-Spheres®
The Lynn Cancer Institute is committed to ensuring our cancer patients
have access to the most advanced technology available, and we continually
update our radiation treatment equipment.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
The side effects of radiation therapy vary from one person to another.
Most side effects of radiation therapy are limited to the area of your
body being treated. They can also depend on your age, general health and
whether you have had other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Your radiation oncologist will talk with you about any potential side
effects of your specific treatment before treatment begins.
How experienced is the radiation oncology team?
The radiation oncology team at the Lynn Cancer Institute has worked together
for many years. Our team members have spent 10, 25 and 30 years –
or more – with the program. Some have dedicated their entire career
to this team of highly trained, skilled professionals. Our dedication
to each other and our patients is evident as soon as you meet any member
of our team. It feels like a family. And we pledge to treat you like a
member of our family.
Make an Appointment or Referral
Call us Today 561-955-5966
Or
Contact us Today