Urological Radiation Therapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), the ultimate in customized radiation therapy, may be used for patients with cancer of the prostate, brain, head, neck, cancers near critical areas, cancers on the extremities to help spare lymphatics and decrease chronic swelling, and other selected situations. IMRT may also be used as a retreatment method.

IMRT delivers radiation to a tumor using many thin leaves that open and close at the right time to conform to the exact shape of the tumor, particularly those that are irregularly shaped. The beams focus directly on the cancer and change as the radiation reaches the target.

There are minimal side effects for IMRT when compared to conventional radiation techniques. IMRT can be used in combination with Respiratory Gating technology.

Transperineal Ultrasound Guided Radiation Implantation of the Prostate Gland (TPI)

Transperineal Ultrasound Guided Radiation Implantation of the Prostate Gland (TPI) is a type of radiation treatment that places low-dose, permanent radiation seeds into the prostate. Done as an outpatient surgical procedure, TPI is ideal for patients in the earlier stages of the disease and prostates of a smaller size.

The results from TPI can be similar to radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation. With TPI, patients have a shorter recovery time, avoid six weeks of daily radiation sessions and are able to return to normal activities within a few days.

Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation Treatment)

Internal radiation therapy uses seed implants, or brachytherapy, which places radioactive material directly into or close to the tumor. Seed implants and brachytherapy are terms used interchangeably. This procedure allows the delivery of a high radiation dose to the prostate tumor while sparing adjacent normal tissues and is often combined with external beam irradiation, which serves as a "boost dose" to the site of suspected or known malignancy.

High dose rate brachytherapy involves placing a temporary radioactive implant into the target area. The radioactive implant has an exceptionally high dose rate for rapid treatment. The procedure is generally completed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

For low dose rate brachytherapy, permanent radioactive seeds (I-125, Pd-103) are placed into the prostate tumor. It may be an alternative to radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation for some patients. With this one time outpatient procedure, patients avoid the long recovery associated with surgery and retain their virility. It is generally done under regional or general anesthesia, and no hospital admission is required.