Cancer Centers Of North Carolina Offers HDR Brachytherapy For Treatment Of Cancerous Tumors

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 06 Aug 2009 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Cancer Centers of North Carolina, an affiliate of US Oncology, Inc., continues to offer cutting-edge treatment options to its patients through the addition of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy. This latest advance in brachytherapy allows physicians to deliver precise radiation treatment to a patient's cancerous tumor and is rapidly becoming the treatment of choice for certain types of cancer.

With HDR brachytherapy, radiation is delivered directly to the cancer target through the use of catheters, needles or applicators inserted into a body cavity or directly into the tumor. A computer-controlled delivery system is used to optimize the dose distribution to the target. As a result of this precise delivery, the surrounding healthy tissue and critical organs are preferentially spared from high doses of radiation and side effects may be reduced.

Unlike low dose rate brachytherapy treatment, HDR therapy can be delivered on an outpatient basis at Cancer Centers of North Carolina's office, which incorporates all patient needs in one central location. In addition, treatment times for HDR brachytherapy are typically 10-15 minutes in duration instead of several days that are required for low dose rate brachytherapy. Cancer Centers of North Carolina is currently administering HDR primarily on breast and gynecologic cancers.

The HDR brachytherapy program at Cancer Centers of North Carolina is directed by its board-certified radiation oncologists, Dr. John Reilly and Dr. Kolby Sidhu. "HDR brachytherapy is a very effective addition to our fight against cancer. This technique delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the area of disease," according to Dr. Reilly. Dr. Sidhu adds, "Cancer patients benefit by having more treatment options. There is also the potential benefit for a shorter course of treatment, particularly for breast cancer patients being treated with Mammosite(R)."

About Cancer Centers of North Carolina

Cancer Centers of North Carolina (CCNC) has been providing comprehensive cancer care in the greater Triangle area for 30 years. Beginning as a single physician practice, originally named Raleigh Hematology Oncology, CCNC has grown to a physician staff of thirteen medical oncologists, two radiation oncologists, a head and neck surgical oncologist and a gynecologic oncologist, and offers services in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, and Dunn. The practice provides advanced state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services including administration of chemotherapy, biologic and targeted therapies, Computed Tomography (CT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), laboratory and pharmacy services, and an extensive clinical trials program connecting patients to leading cancer investigators around the country. CCNC brings the best of medical science and cancer care support services together in one pleasant, convenient, community- based organization.

CCNC is united in healing with US Oncology, supporting the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research network to accelerate the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices. With more than 1,227 physicians treating more than 650,000 patients at 468 locations in 39 states, the US Oncology network and CCNC provide cancer patients with access to the latest advancements in therapies, clinical research and technology, as well as best-in-class clinical and operational processes that help to advance the quality, safety and cost effectiveness of cancer care.

Source: US Oncology, Inc

• Additional
• References
• Citations