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Radiation is a special kind of energy that is carried by a stream of particles
or waves. We get low levels of radiation from the sun, chest x-rays and
mammograms. High levels of radiation stop cancer cells from growing and
multiplying. We offer external radiation therapy services to our patients
along with IMRT. Click on a link below to go to specific service:
External beam radiation means that radiation is delivered outside of the
body. Some of the cancers that are treated with external beam radiation
 therapy
include brain tumors, breast cancer, head and neck tumors, lung cancer,
prostate cancer, skin cancer, rectal cancer, cervical cancer and uterine
cancer. External radiation is also used for lymphomas and sarcomas.
This type of radiation is delivered by a specialized piece of equipment
that resembles a large x-ray machine. This piece of equipment is called
an accelerator.
External beam radiation is typically given to patients 5 days a week
(Monday through Friday) for a period of 1 to 8 weeks. Radiation therapy
can be given to patients once, twice or three times per day, depending
upon the type of cancer being treated
At the Cancer Treatment Institute, we want you to have the peace of mind
that you will be treated by the most caring, sophisticated and technologically
advanced team.
That is why we have implemented IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy),
which is only available in a few select centers. IMRT is the most precise
form of external beam radiation therapy available.With IMRT, the radiation
is broken up into tiny pencil-thin radiation beams or "modulated"
by a sophisticated computer system. These beams enter the body from many
angles and go directly to the cancer with pinpoint accuracy.
Using this method, the cancer is treated, but the surrounding healthy
tissue is shielded from much of the radiation, which helps avoid unwanted
side effects. In this fashion, IMRT allows us to safely treat tumors that
are located very close to delicate organs. Simply put, this means that
radiation can be more precisely targeted to the cancer with a lower rate
of side effects, fewer complications and improved cancer control rates.
How important is a medical advance like IMRT for your cancer
care? We think it makes all the difference.
If you would like more information on IMRT from the manufacturer of our
equipment, please visit Varian Medical Systems.
 A linear accelerator (LINAC) is the device most commonly used for
external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. The linear
accelerator can also be used in stereotactic radiosurgery similar to that
achieved using the gamma knife to targets within the brain. The lineal
accelerator can also be used to treat areas outside of the brain. It delivers
a uniform dose of high-energy x-ray to the region of the patient’s
tumor. These x-rays can destroy the cancer cells, while sparing the surrounding
normal tissue. A linear accelerator is also used for Intensity-Modulated
Radiation Therapy (IMRT).
The linear accelerator
uses microwave technology (similar to that used for radar) to accelerate
electrons in a part of the accelerator called the wave guide and then
allows these electrons to collide with a heavy metal target. As a result
of these collisions, high-energy x-rays are scattered from the target.
A portion of these x-rays is collected and then shaped to form a bean
that matches the patient’s tumor. The beam comes out of a part of
the accelerator called a gantry, which rotates around the patient. The
patient lies on a movable treatment couch and lasers are used to make
sure the patient is in the proper position. Radiation can be delivered
to the tumor from any angle by rotating the gantry and moving the treatment
couch.
The patient’s radiation oncologist prescribes the appropriate treatment
volume and dosage. The medical radiation physicist and the dosimetrist
determine how to deliver the prescribed dose and calculate the amount
of time it will take the accelerator to deliver that dose. Radiation therapists
operate the linear accelerator and give patients their daily radiation
treatments.
Patient safety is very important. During treatment the radiation therapist
continuously watches the patient through a closed-circuit television monitor.
There is also a microphone in the treatment room so that the patient can
speak to the therapist if needed. Port films (x-rays taken with the treatment
beam) are checked regularly to make sure that the beam position doesn’t
vary from the original plan.
The linear accelerator sits in a room with lead and concrete walls so
that the high-energy x-rays do not escape. The radiation therapist must
turn on the accelerator from outside the treatment room. Because the accelerator
only gives off radiation when it is actually turned on, the risk of accidental
exposure is extremely low. Indeed, pregnant women are allowed to operate
linear accelerators.
Quality control of the linear accelerator is also very important. There
are several systems built into the accelerator so that it won’t
deliver a higher dose than the radiation oncologist prescribed. Each morning,
before any patients are treated, the radiation therapist used a piece
of equipment called a tracker to make sure that the radiation intensity
is uniform across the beam. In addition, the radiation physicist makes
more detailed weekly and monthly checks.
Computer tomography (CT), sometimes called a CAT scan, is a diagnostic
procedure in which cross-sectional pictures or “topographic slides”
of the body are made by special x-ray equipment. Doctors use a CAT scan
to study internal parts of the body, such as the brain or chest, in greater
detail than they could, using conventional x-rays. Computerized axial
tomography offers some advantages over other x-rays techniques in diagnosing
diseases, particularly because it clearly shows the shape and exact location
of organs, soft tissues, and bones.
The procedure is painless. A patient lies very still on a table that passes
through a doughnut-shaped x-ray machine. The machine, which is linked
to a computer, rotates around the patient, taking pictures of one thin
slice of tissue after another. To obtain a clearer picture, the patient
may be given a solution of an x-ray dye to drink, or get an injection
into a vein in the arm before the CT is done. The length of the procedure
can take from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be
x-rays.
Images from these x-rays are then processed by the computer. The final
image, called a “computer tomogram: or “CT slice,” is
displayed on a cathode-ray tube, which is similar to a television picture
tube and screen. This image can be recorded permanently on film. In addition,
a CT scan can be stored on magnetic tape or optical disk.
A technologist will check your medical history to see if you have had
any allergies to shellfish, iodine, or certain dyes, and whether you have
a history of diabetes, asthma, a heart condition, kidney problems, or
thyroid conditions. These conditions may indicate a higher risk of reaction
to the contrast dye.
If you believe that you may be pregnant, inform the radiologist before
undergoing any CT scan.
A CT scan is a low-risk, noninvasive procedure. A CT scan does involve
exposure to radiation, which is slightly higher that the exposure from
a regular x-ray. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis usually
outweighs the risk associated with radiation exposure. The typical radiation
dose from a CT exam is equivalent to the amount of natural background
radiation received over a year’s time. Some patients may have an
adverse reaction to the contrast dye that may be used. You may feel flushed
and warm and may experience a brief headache, a salty taste, or nausea
and vomiting after the dye is injected.
The risk of serious allergic reaction to contrast dye containing iodine
is rare, and our departments are well equipped to deal with them.
A radiologist will analyze the images and send a signed report with her
interpretation to the patient’s personal physician and radiation
oncologist. The personal physician’s office will inform the patient
on how to obtain the results.
Ensuring that our patients receive everything they need is an important
part of the services we offer. To meet the needs of our patients, we offer
access to a broad variety of community services in the El Paso area.
The Cancer Treatment Institute offers transportation services to those
patients who cannot drive and are unable to pay for transportation to
and from CTI. Please inquire at the front desk for assistance with scheduling
transportation services or call the office at (915) 921-7855.
Hospice services are available to patients in their homes through our
network of hospice providers. These services include respite, pastoral,
family support and other support services for the terminal patient. Click
here to download a data sheet (PDF) that may help answer some of your
hospice care questions. Listed below is contact information for local
hospices:
Cancer patients and their families often find it helpful to join a support
group to have an open forum to discuss their questions and concerns with
people that understand first hand what they are experiencing. The Cancer
Treatment Institute understands this need and can put patients together
with support groups in their area. 
We
can connect patients and their caregivers to licensed medical social workers
who can assist with obtaining medications, transportation or other issues
or concerns.
CTI can connect patients with registered dieticians who can counsel patients
on proper nutritional therapy and prescribe personalized eating plans.
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