At Precision Radiation Oncology, your physicians use the most advanced technology to treat cancer. We consider these technologies as useful instruments in your fight against cancer. Our experience and expertise allows us deploy these tools in innovative ways to maximize our chances of success while limiting side effects and risks.
- CyberKnife
- Varian True Beam Linear Accelerator
- Varian iX Linear Accelerator
- Siemens PRIMUS Linear Accelerator
- Brachytherapy
- Xofigo (Radium 223)
- 4D-CT
- PET-CT Simulation
CyberKnife
The CyberKnife is one of the most advanced radiation therapy and cancer fighting tools available. It is an ultra-precise radiation therapy device designed to deliver high doses of radiation to tumors while sparing normal tissues. This technique is known as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) or Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney. The delivers beams of high dose radiation with pin point accuracy, offers new hope to patients worldwide and right here in the Philadelphia area. The CyberKnife tracks tumor and respiratory motion in real time while making adjustments.
A typical radiation course of daily radiation treatments over 8 weeks can now be delivered in 1-5 sessions using CyberKnife. CyberKnife technology is used to treat malignant and benign tumors in various parts of the body without incisions or sedation. Although the name may invoke images of knives and scalpels, CyberKnife treatments are not surgery and there is no anesthesia required. It is a powerful and convenient cancer treatment without compromise.
The physicians at Precision Radiation Oncology are the most experienced CyberKnife team in the Philadelphia area. You can download a brochure about the CyberKnife here.
Varian True Beam Linear Accelerator
The TrueBeam is a highly advanced state of the art system used to target and destroy cancer with advanced speed and accuracy. TrueBeam treats cancer anywhere in the body where radiation treatment is indicated, including lung, breast, prostate and head and neck. The TrueBeam can perform Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation therapy (SBRT). The main advantages of the Varian TrueBeam system are ease, precision and speed. Treatments that once took 30 minutes can now be delivered in 2 minutes using TrueBeam. The physicians at Precision Radiation Oncology use the TrueBeam’s advanced system to tailor treatments specific to your cancer and needs.
Varian iX Linear Accelerator
The Varian iX system is a versatile radiation therapy machine used to deliver 3D conformal radiotherapy, IGRT- IMRT and VMAT. Physicians at Precision radiation oncology can precisely design the radiation beams to the size and shape of your tumor while avoiding normal tissue using the multi-leaf collimator. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a specialized form of 3D Conformal Radiotherapy in which the radiation dose is delivered using small “beamlets.” The intensity of each beamlet can be optimized to create a customized treatment plan based upon your specific needs. Before each treatment, the Varian iX allows physicians to identify the target region by performing a CT scan or an X-ray. Once the region is verified, treatment can be delivered in only 1 to 2 minutes. The faster the treatment is delivered, the less time the patient’s internal and external anatomy has to move after image guidance is completed.
Siemens PRIMUS Linear Accelerator
The Siemens PRIMUS linear accelerator can provide precisely sculpted 3D radiation treatments for the treatment of a variety of cancers. The multi-leaf collimators allows for the shaping of radiation beams to conform to a target area while minimizing radiation dose to normal surrounding tissue. The PRIMUS system is used to treat breast, lung, gynecologic malignancies, head and neck and skin cancers.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is the delivery of radiation therapy by inserting a radiation source directly inside or close to the tumor. This technique is used frequently in the treatment of breast, cervical, uterine, skin and prostate cancer. At precision radiation oncology, we offer our patients low dose rate (LDR) and high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments. Crozer Chester medical center is a regional leader in the use of HDR brachytherapy in the treatment of aggressive prostate cancers and physicians at Precision Radiation Oncology have expertise in providing this type of treatment.
Xofigo (Radium 223)
Xofigo is an injectable radiation treatment used in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer to the bone. It concentrates in the bone and kills prostate cancer cells and spares the normal bone marrow. It has been shown to extend life and improve symptoms. Physicians at precision radiation oncology can determine if you are eligible for Xofigo and provide treatment.
4D-CT
Four dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) is a modern form of advanced imaging used in the planning of radiation therapy. This technology captures the location of tumor as well as their motion and the motion of the surrounding normal organs. This valuable tool allows your physicians to predict the location of a tumor and create a radiation plan to account for this motion. This ensures a more accurate delivery of radiation therapy and reduces the risk of radiation related side effects.
PET-CT Simulation
A PET/CT scanner combines the excellent structural information provided by CT imaging with PET scanning which provides metabolic information on a cellular level. Tumor cells often have a high level of metabolic activity which can be identified as a “bright” area or spot on a PET-CT scan. When combined, these two technologies can vastly improve identification and staging of tumors with accurate localization. This precise localization helps the physicians at precision radiation oncology design highly accurate radiation treatments to the “brightest” areas while sparing normal tissues. With our PET/CT simulation suite, our patients can be comfortably scanned in the treatment position with the appropriate treatment aid devices providing images for the radiation treatment planning.