Radiation Therapy

In external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), a machine sends a precise dose of radiation into the body, usually from several directions. External beams treat a specific area—if you have lung cancer, you have radiation to your chest, not your whole body. You have access to a full range of advanced techniques including:

 

Hypofractionation

• Hypofractionation is an advanced type of external beam therapy. We divide the radiation into larger dosages over a shorter period, allowing you to complete treatment in less time.
  

Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of external beam radiation therapy used to treat brain cancer. This is a nonsurgical treatment, despite its name. When we use this method to treat tumors in other areas of the body, it’s called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Using advanced 3D imaging, we precisely target the cancer with higher doses of radiation in fewer treatments than standard radiation. Stereotactic treatment can help preserve healthy tissue.
  

Accelerated hypofractionated radiation therapy for prostate cancer

• Accelerated hypofractionated radiation therapy (or precision stereotactic body radiation therapy) safely delivers higher doses of radiation during each session. Eligible patients with prostate cancer can complete treatment in five or fewer daily sessions of about 45-60 minutes each. That’s compared to the conventional treatment of 25 to 45 sessions over 5 to 9 weeks.
  
  Radiation beams target cancer, sparing healthy tissue to reduce the risk of side effects such as impotence. Nuvance Health also uses a biodegradable rectal spacer to protect healthy tissue and preserve bowel, urinary, and sexual function. This breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer is available at several Nuvance Health locations including, Norwalk, CT, and Carmel, Kingston and Poughkeepsie, NY.

Internal radiation therapy uses liquid or solid radiation with sources placed directly in your body.

 

Brachytherapy

• Brachytherapy treats a specific area of your body with seeds, ribbons or capsules placed in or near the tumor. You may receive brachytherapy at a low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR). It is also an effective treatment option for people with gynecological cancers, including those with: 
  
  • Cervical cancer: Brachytherapy is often used in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in the primary management of cervical cancer.
  • Endometrial cancer: Brachytherapy can be used following surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
  • Recurrent gynecological cancer: Brachytherapy can be an option for treating recurrent tumors in previously irradiated areas.

Brachytherapy for gynecological cancers  is currently only offered at the Whittingham Cancer Center in Norwalk, CT. Eligibility will depend on your specific cancer type, stage and overall health and treatment goals. A thorough evaluation by your gynecological and radiation oncologists is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Systemic therapy

• Systemic therapy (SRT) uses liquid radiation that travels in the blood to your body tissues, finding and killing cancer cells. You receive systemic therapy by swallowing a pill, through an infusion into a vein or via an injection.

Partial radiation and organ-sparing techniques

• Some Nuvance Health hospitals offer partial radiation for breast cancer and organ-sparing radiotherapy techniques. These techniques may speed your recovery and improve quality of life.

Some Nuvance Health hospitals offer partial radiation for breast cancer and organ-sparing radiotherapy techniques. These techniques may speed your recovery and improve quality of life.

Norwalk Hospital offers tattoo-less radiation therapy to all types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and rectal cancer. The innovative system eliminates the need for permanent tattoos to mark treatment areas while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Traditionally, permanent tattoos have been used to mark the starting position for daily treatments. The new system uses 3D cameras with sensors to monitor a patient’s position during radiation and ensure the beams accurately target desired areas. The system will stop delivering radiation if it senses any movement.