Radiation therapy basically can be given in two different ways: teletherapy ("long distance therapy") and brachytherapy ("short distance therapy").

Teletherapy is the most common form of care. A very high energy machine is used to generate different kinds of radiation that are aimed at a tumor from a distance (i.e., the machine would not touch your tumor). The more capable the machine, the more precisely a treatment plan can be tailored to your needs.

We currently have 5 teletherapy units. Our Varian 2300CD is an extremely powerful, top-of-the-line, 23-million volt, computer controlled, ultra-precise linear accelerator. It can produce a spectrum of different energy x-rays and electrons (each type and energy penetrates tissues differently, allowing us to match each patient's needs with the right combination). The very high-energy beams of this machine are ideal for deeply situated tumors (for example, prostate cancers, rectal cancers, pancreatic cancers and uterine cancers). A Varian 2100CD linear accelerator, which serves as the main unit of many smaller facilities, functions as the "little brother" of the 2300CD for patients who do not need radiation that is so penetrating (for example, tonsil cancers, larynx cancers and brain tumors). Our additional 6-million volt Phillips linear accelerator, AECL cobalt machine (cobalt machines do not create RF interference that can damage pacemakers) and Bucky superficial x-ray unit (for skin cancers) give us a broad range of treatment options that are selected to match each patient's needs (one size does not fit all!).

Brachytherapy, in contrast, requires us to place radioactive sources precisely within or just next to a tumor. The radioactive sources may need to be left there permanently or only temporarily (depending upon the specific circumstances). Often these procedures require anesthesia and brief hospitalization. We have many years of experience, for example, in the placement of radioactive iodine seeds under ultrasound guidance into cancerous prostate glands (permanent implants) and radioactive cesium sources, in a variety of applicators, into cervix tumors (temporary insertions). In addition, we frequently use our Nucletron high-dose-rate remote afterloading iridium unit to deliver brachytherapy to the upper vagina (after hysterectomy for some uterine cancers) or to the bronchus of the lung (for some lung cancers). This procedure is more akin to teletherapy because it is typically given in several small doses over a few weeks and is usually an outpatient procedure.

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