Types of Cancer Treated
Radiation therapy is safely and effectively used to treat many different types of tumors, both cancerous and benign (non-cancerous).
The Department of Radiation Oncology offers the most comprehensive range of treatment programs on Staten Island, treating the full gamut of oncology including brain, head and
neck, lung, breast, intestinal, bladder and prostate, sarcomas and
pediatric tumors.
Our special programs include:
Breast
We
participate in the Multidisciplinary Breast Tumor Board
sponsored by the Comprehensive Breast Center to discuss each case
with our colleagues and arrive at the appropriate treatment plan. Radiation
treatment options include treatment in the supine or prone position,
use of IMRT, accelerated treatment in 4 weeks and partial breast
irradiation (PBI) using the SAVI catheter.
Prostate / Electromagnetic Tracking with the Calypso® System
Known
as GPS for the body, the Calypso system uses three transponders or
beacons to localize and track the treatment area with millimeter accuracy.
Currently used for prostate treatments, Calypso allows us to
precisely position the prostate each day and to track its location during
the treatment course. This accuracy allows us to limit the extent of
radiation and reduce both short and long term side effects. Additional
uses of Calypso await FDA approval.
We support a comprehensive approach for prostate cancer treatment, including the use of seed implants and external beam radiation with GPS-directed IMRT. Click these links for an expanded description of possible treatment options:
Conformal interstitial implants
External beam therapy using IMRT
Focused therapy using the Brainlab/ExacTrac System®
Our state
of the art radiosurgery system allows precise, high dose treatment to
areas in the brain, head and neck, spine, lung and liver. These treatments a
re also called SRS and SBRT.
-
Brain treatment (SRS) a
lows some patients to complete their whole
course of therapy in a single session.
-
Lung treatment (SBRT)
has allowed some patients to avoid surgery
and undergo a full course of curative treatment in 3-5 sessions.
Our focused therapy program uses robotic couch adjustment to ensure precision in delivery, and allows us to avoid harming normal areas.
Head and Neck
These cancers require close cooperation with our colleagues in surgery and medical oncology, with careful attention to anatomical considerations. IMRT is used throughout.
Gynecologic
We are the most experienced team treating gynecologic cancer on Staten Island. Again working closely with surgery and medical oncology, treatment is individualized and typically utilizes implant treatment (brachytherapy), most of which is now out-patient therapy. Click for additional i
nformation about the treatment of cervical cancer using brachytherapy.