Radiation therapy options

Radiation therapy uses targeted energy to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors and provide relief of certain cancer-related symptoms. At City of Hope, our radiation oncologists use a variety of technologies to deliver high radiation doses to cancerous cells, while working to spare healthy tissue. By focusing the radiation directly on the tumor or tumor bed, these therapies may reduce the risk of side effects.

Some of the many radiation therapy options available to head and neck cancer patients at City of Hope include:

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

EBRT directs a beam of radiation from outside the body at cancerous tissues inside the body. It is a cancer treatment option that uses doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells and shrink tumors. Two types of EBRT therapies available to cancer patients at City of Hope include: 

• Intensity modulated radiation (IMRT). IMRT is an external radiation delivery system used to treat difficult-to-reach tumors. Using advanced software to plan a precise dose of radiation based on tumor size, shape and location, a computer-controlled device delivers radiation in sculpted doses that match the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. IMRT may be appropriate if you have had conventional radiation therapy previously and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area.

• TomoTherapy®: This radiation delivery technology combines an advanced form of IMRT with an onboard CT scanner designed for precise targeting of radiation. While traditional radiation therapies project radiation onto a tumor from only a few directions, TomoTherapy delivers doses of radiation through a 360-degree delivery pattern. TomoTherapy may be an appropriate option if you have advanced stage or recurrent cancer and are no longer able to receive traditional radiation.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy in which tiny, hollow catheters are temporarily inserted directly into a tumor. A series of radioactive pellets are then inserted into each catheter. By tightly containing radiation within the tumor, brachytherapy may help reduce radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissues. City of Hope delivers brachytherapy in two ways: 

• High-dose rate (HDR): Radiation is delivered at a high strength for a short period of time. 
• Low-dose rate (LDR): Radiation is delivered at a continuous rate over one to seven days.