Radiation therapy

Radiation oncology specialists in Denver

Radiation oncology is a cancer treatment option that uses beams of energy (radiation) to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with other types of treatment options, including surgery and chemotherapy. At HealthONE, we offer expert radiation therapy from a dedicated team of specialists to provide effective treatment options to patients.

For more information about cancer diagnostics, treatments and other services, call askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.

Advanced radiation treatment

Our radiation team is focused on providing high-quality, collaborative, patient-centered cancer care using advanced radiation therapies.

One of the primary goals of radiation therapy is to cure cancer by eliminating the tumor. It also aims to reducing the risk of cancer cell growth after surgery.

Types of radiation therapy

We offer many radiation treatments, including:

• Deep inspiration breath holding technique (DIBH): DIBH is a method of delivering radiotherapy to the left breast, as there can be concerns about incidental radiation to the heart.
• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): EBRT delivers high dose radiation to the targeted area.. This delivery system shapes the radiation beam to the exact dimensions and contour of the target.
  • Prone breast board treatment: Prone breast radiation is a unique way to administer EBRT. The board is designed to position patients on their stomach, so healthy breast tissue is isolated away from the body.
• High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy: HDR brachytherapy delivers radiation treatment from the inside of the body, as opposed to externally. This is commonly referred to as internal radiation treatment.
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): IGRT uses imaging technology at the radiation table to improve precision and accuracy of treatment while minimizing radiation to healthy surrounding tissue.
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): IORT is a breast cancer treatment that involves a patient being able to complete an entire dose of radiation therapy during their lumpectomy surgery.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): IMRT delivers a sculpted dose of radiation that matches the exact 3D shape of the target.
• Radiopharmaceuticals delivery: A radiopharmaceutical is a cancer drug that targets cancer cells and gives off radiation to kill these cells and spare healthy cells.
• Respiratory gating: This type of radiation therapy ensures treatment is delivered at the most optimal time throughout the patient's respiratory cycle.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): SBRT is used to precisely treat tumors that are located anywhere in the body with pinpoint accuracy, allowing for significantly higher doses of radiation to be delivered in fewer treatments.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): SRS delivers a large dose of precisely placed, high-energy X-ray beams to shrink or control the growth of a tumor.

Electronic brachytherapy

Electronic brachytherapy is a treatment that involves precise placement of a radiation source internally. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be directed at a specific site within the body, while allowing for greater protection of the normal tissues in the surrounding areas.

Benefits of this technology include:

• The lower-energy X-ray technology allows medical care providers to be in the room with a patient during treatment—an approach which can be comforting to patients.
• The radiation source is X-ray technology, instead of radioactive material, and has the potential to minimize radiation exposure of surrounding healthy tissues during treatment.
• There is less need for special handling of hazardous materials related to cancer treatments performed with the system because the system does not use radioactive isotopes.

What to expect with radiation therapy

Each patient will meet with a radiation oncologist for a consultation and physical examination to discuss options and benefits of radiation therapy treatments. A medical exam and your family/personal medical history will help determine appropriate options for treatment.

If radiation therapy is pursued, patients will be set up with a simulation appointment, where a computed tomography (CT) scan will be performed for treatment planning. This scan allows us to develop exact positioning throughout your course of radiation therapy.

Next, the dosimetrist, a member of the radiation oncology team who controls radiation dosage, will review your information and design a custom treatment plan. This plan will outline the precise location of treatment. The dosimetrist works very closely with the radiation oncologist to deliver your treatment plan.

Before your radiation treatment begins, you will come back for one more verification, or “dry run” day. This day is very similar to what your treatment will be like, but no radiation treatment will be delivered.

During your course of radiation therapy, an oncology nurse will be available at all times to assist you with any needs. You will see the radiation oncologist once weekly for a check-in visit.