Radiation Oncology

Treatments/Procedures:

Diagnostic Procedures

• Electroencephalography (EEG) – Measures electrical activity in the brain.
• MRI or CT Brain Imaging – Produces detailed images to detect and assess brain tumors.
• Biopsy – Collects tissue to confirm tumor type.
• Neuropsychological Testing – Assesses memory, attention, and other cognitive functions.
• Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) with Intracranial Mapping – Guides surgeons by monitoring brain function during surgery.

Surgical Treatment

• Surgical Tumor Removal (Craniotomy) – A procedure to access and remove brain tumors.

Radiation Treatments and Procedures:

• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) – A precise, noninvasive radiation treatment that delivers one or a few high doses of radiation to a specific area. Despite the name, it is not surgery. SRS uses detailed imaging and computer planning to focus radiation beams with great accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – Shapes and adjusts radiation doses to target the cancer while protecting nearby healthy organs and tissues.
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) – A type of IMRT that delivers radiation in a continuous arc around the body, allowing for even greater accuracy and shorter treatment times.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – Uses real-time imaging to guide each treatment, ensuring radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed.

Additional Treatment:

• Chemotherapy – Uses medication to target tumor cells, sometimes in combination with radiation or surgery.

Treatments & Procedures:

Treatments often include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy. These therapies are usually delivered through infusion or oral medications.

Medical Therapies

• Chemotherapy – Uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells, often administered through infusion or oral medications.
• Immunotherapy – Boosts the body's immune system to help fight cancer.
• Targeted Therapy – Focuses on specific cancer cell abnormalities to stop their growth.
• Hormonal Therapy – Blocks or lowers hormones that fuel certain types of breast cancer.

Radiation Treatments & Procedures:

Thanks to new advances, some patients can now complete their radiation treatments in about one week instead of the traditional six to seven weeks.

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) – A highly precise, non-invasive radiation therapy technique that delivers a single or a few high-dose radiation treatments to a targeted area. The technique uses advanced imaging and computerized treatment planning to focus radiation beams with extreme accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – Adjusts and adapts radiation doses to protect nearby organs while targeting the cancer.
• Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) – A specialized form of IMRT which further enhances the preciseness and accuracy of RT.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – Uses real-time imaging for precise targeting.

Treatments & Procedures:

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): A noninvasive, highly precise treatment that delivers one or a few high doses of radiation to a targeted area. Advanced imaging and computer planning help focus radiation beams with great accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Shapes and adjusts radiation beams to target the tumor while protecting nearby healthy organs.
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT): A specialized form of IMRT that delivers radiation in a continuous arc, increasing precision and reducing treatment time.

Treatments & Procedures:

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): A noninvasive, highly precise treatment that delivers one or a few high doses of radiation to a targeted area. Advanced imaging and computer planning help focus radiation beams with great accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Shapes and adjusts radiation beams to target the tumor while protecting nearby healthy tissue.
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT): A specialized form of IMRT that delivers radiation in a continuous arc, improving accuracy and reducing treatment time.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Uses real-time imaging to ensure radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed.
• Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation): Delivers radiation directly to the tumor site by placing a small radioactive source inside or near the treatment area for targeted precision.

Treatments & Procedures:

Speech and Swallowing

• Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) Management – Specialized support for patients who use a voice prosthesis to speak after a laryngectomy.
• Radiation and Chemotherapy Support – Therapies that help manage side effects affecting speech, swallowing, and voice during and after treatment.
• Diet and Swallowing Evaluations – Assessments to ensure safe eating and provide guidance on food textures and consistencies when needed.

Radiation Therapy

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) – A noninvasive, highly precise treatment that delivers one or a few high doses of radiation to a specific area. Advanced imaging and computer planning help focus radiation beams with great accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – Shapes and adjusts radiation doses to target the tumor while protecting nearby healthy tissues.
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) – A specialized form of IMRT that delivers radiation in a continuous arc, increasing accuracy and shortening treatment times.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – Uses real-time imaging during treatment to ensure radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed.

Treatments/Procedures:

The management of lung cancer frequently requires aggressive multidisciplinary treatment. In complex cases, treatment options might include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, which are typically administered through infusion and/or radiation therapy.

Surgery is the most important treatment for patients with early-stage disease and may be the only intervention needed to control cancer or used in combination with other modalities, depending on the stage of the disease. The type of surgery used depends on the location and size of the tumor. Rigorous preoperative evaluation is required to ensure the surgery doesn’t negatively affect patients’ ability to breathe.

Surgical treatments include:

Lobectomy, segmentectomy, pneumonectomy, or wedge resection: Procedures that remove part of the lung, or all of it. These types of surgeries can be performed through a traditional open incision (thoracotomy) or with minimally invasive techniques, such as:

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery

Endobronchial therapies:

Treatments like laser therapy, liquid nitrogen therapy, or stent placement to help keep the airways open.

Radiation treatments:

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) – A highly precise, non-invasive radiation therapy technique that delivers a single or a few high-dose radiation treatments to a targeted area. The technique uses advanced imaging and computerized treatment planning to focus radiation beams with extreme accuracy.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – Adjusts and adapts radiation doses to protect nearby organs while targeting the cancer.
• Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) – A specialized form of IMRT which further enhances the preciseness and accuracy of RT.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – Uses real-time imaging for precise targeting.

Lung Cancer Screening:

Success in the treatment of lung cancer lies in early detection, when the treatment is most effective. Low-dose CT scans are used to screen high-risk individuals, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. Our team, in collaboration with our pulmonologists, runs one of the busiest Lung cancer screening programs in the state. Visit the Lung Cancer Screening Program page for more information.

Treatments & Procedures:

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Uses high-energy radiation from outside the body to shrink or destroy tumors.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Shapes and adjusts radiation beams to focus on the tumor and protect healthy tissue.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Uses real-time imaging during each session to improve precision.
• Proton Therapy: Delivers radiation with pinpoint accuracy, reducing exposure to nearby organs, and minimizing side effects.

Treatments/Procedures:

At UTMB Health, prostate and other urinary cancers are managed through a multidisciplinary approach. Each patient’s care plan is personalized based on diagnostic testing and cancer stage. We use advanced tools such as MRI-based prostate evaluations, PSMA-PET scans, genomic testing, and MRI-guided biopsies to guide treatment decisions.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:

• Active surveillance (careful monitoring when cancer is low-risk)
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy (often given by IV infusion)
• Immunotherapy
• Radiopharmaceutical therapy

Advanced Radiation Treatments:

Recent advances allow many patients to complete radiation therapy in 4–5 weeks instead of the traditional 8–9 weeks.

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): A noninvasive, highly precise treatment that delivers one or a few high doses of radiation to a targeted area.
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Shapes and adjusts radiation beams to target the tumor while protecting nearby organs.
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT): A type of IMRT that delivers radiation in a continuous arc, improving accuracy and reducing treatment time.
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Uses real-time imaging to ensure radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed.
• Radiopharmaceutical Therapy:
• New injectable radioactive medicines can treat advanced prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate. These therapies can relieve symptoms and help patients live longer. Common options include:
• Pluvicto
• Xofigo