Cyberknife Cranial and Body Stereotactic Radiosurgery
 The CyberKnifeR Robotic
Radiosurgery System is the worldfs first and only radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body with
sub-millimeter accuracy. Using image guidance technology and computer controlled robotics, the CyberKnife System is designed
to continuously track the tumor, detect its location and correct for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout
the treatment. Because of its extreme precision, the CyberKnife System does not require invasive head or body frames to
stabilize patient movement, vastly increasing the systemfs flexibility.
Unlike traditional radiosurgery systems that can only treat tumors in the head and neck, the CyberKnife System can treat
both intracranial and extracranial tumors. In fact, extracranial treatments currently represent more than 50 percent of
CyberKnife System procedures in the United States, including those of the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas. The
CyberKnife System provides an additional option to many patients diagnosed with previously inoperable or surgically
complex tumors, or patients who may be looking for an alternative to surgery.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a specialized form of 3D-CRT that allows radiation to be more exactly
shaped to fit your tumor. With IMRT, the radiation beam can be broken up into many "beamlets," and the intensity of each
beamlet can be adjusted individually. Using IMRT, it may be possible to further limit the exact amount of radiation that
is received by normal tissues that are near the tumor. In some situations, this may also allow a higher dose of radiation
to be delivered to the tumor, increasing the chance of a cure.
For our patients, this means less side effects and higher chance of cure and local control. We are happy to be one of the
few centers in the chicago area to offer this technology to benefit our patients
Radioactive Isotope Monoclonal Antiboty Therapy
Bexxar (tositumomab and iodine I 131 ) and Zevalin (Ibritumomab and Indium 111 or Yttrium 90) are radiolabled monoclonal antibodies for the treatment
of patients with CD20 positive, follicular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), with and without transformation, whose disease
is resistant to Rituximab and has relapsed following chemotherapy.
These are antibodies with radioactive isotopes attached. The drug attaches to a protein found only on the surface of
B lymphocytes such as cancerous B-cells found in many forms of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The radioactivity targets the
B-cell, destroying it. This is a targeted therapy that attacks the antigen on the cell surface of the tumor cells, delivering cytotoxic radiation
directly to the cancerous cells.
GliaSite treatment for brain tumors available at Christ Medical Center
For patients with brain cancer, the benefits of surgery followed by targeted
radiation therapy are well known. However, physicians have had to weigh their
treatment choices with important considerations. Unavoidable side effects associated
with external beam radiation and complicated treatment planning and execution
of brain brachytherapy have left physicians with limited options.
Working in conjunction with leading neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists,
Proxima Therapeutics has developed a patented cancer treatment device, the
GliaSiteR RTS, that is designed to deliver site-specific internal radiation
therapy and minimize exposure to healthy brain tissue.
Designed to be placed inside the tumor resection cavity by neurosurgeons,
the GliaSiteR RTS delivers radiation from within via IotrexR, a proprietary
liquid radiation source placed inside a balloon catheter. Targeted tissue receives
a high dose of radiation, while exposure to healthy tissue is minimized. Treatment
is administered for 3 to 7 days
From Gliasite Webpage
Prostate Seed Implant
Radioactive Seed Implant can be done in patients with prostate cancer. For early stage prostate cancer, implant can be done as a
monotherapy. For higher risk patients, implant can be done with combination of hormone treatment and external beam radiotherapy.
It is done as an outpatient surgical procedure and patients are usually send home same day. For some patinets with prostate cancer,
this may offer alternative treatment to a radical surgery or 8 weeks of external beam radiotherapy.
Implants are done at Christ Medical Center in Oak lawn, Chicago Prostate Cancer Center in Westmont or Tinley Wood Surgicenter
in Tinley Park. Clinical Trials
Many national multi-institute clinical trials are available at Christ Medical Center through CTSG. We have multiple trials open for common
cancer diagnosis such as lung cancer, breast cancer, GI malignancy and other sites. Let your cancer specialist know if you are interested in
participation in clinical trials
Other Standard Treatment Options Available
We offer all the state of the art standard radiotherapy options in addition to the above listed specialized services. These include 3-D conformal
Radiation Treatment Planning, CT-Simulation, High and Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy.
Please contact us if there are any questions
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The field of Medicine changes rapidly due to the
rapidly changing technology and new found knowledge. The field
of Radiation Oncology specially rely heavily on technology and
it changes constantly.
However, I still believe what makes the best patient
care involves a good communication between a patient and the
care giver, dedicated care-giving staff, and knowledgeable staff
who knows how to apply available technology.
Due to the ever-changing technology and the media
who does not always give the whole picture, it is quite confusing
for a patient to know what is important and where to get the
right information. In this site, we will try to explain what
is available in our centers. |
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