Medical Oncology: The treatment of cancer using medical treatment which includes drugs and hormones.
Prostate Radiation Seed Therapy:This form of internal radiation therapy incorporates the technique of implanting seeds directly into the prostate via a container or applicator of radioactive material. The dose and length of time the seeds stay in place are dependent on where the cancer is located, patient's general health and previous cancer treatments.
Radionuclide Therapy: In radionuclide scanning, the patient swallows or is given an injection of a mildly radioactive substance. A machine (scanner) measures radioactivity levels in certain organs and prints a picture on paper or film. By looking at the amount of radioactivity in the organs, the doctor can find abnormal areas.
X-rays are the most common way doctors make pictures of the inside of the body. In a special kind of x-ray imaging, a CT or CAT scan uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures.
Three-Dimensional Radiation Treatment Planning: Radiation therapy has been used to treat cancer since the turn of the century. Technological advances since that time have brought about higher energy x-rays, skin sparing radiation, new isotopes for radioactive implants and recently the ability to image and treat tumors in a three-dimensional conformal fashion. The range of tumors that can benefit from conformal therapy include tumors of the brain, the head and neck, the lung, the abdomen and pelvis, as well as soft tissue tumors of the muscles and extremities. (continued on next page)
