Welcome
to the Lourdes Regional Cancer Center and our Radiation Oncology
Department. The Cancer Care Team at Lourdes is very aware of the many
emotions and feelings that a person encounters when diagnosed with cancer.
It is our goal to make your experience with us as positive as possible.
Who are we?
We have a wide range of services and specialists available to
assist you. Our medical staff is board certified in their specialties. This
means they have passed very rigorous examinations in Radiation Oncology. Our
therapists and nurses are licensed by the State of New York and many of our
nurses are certified Oncology Specialists. We have an experienced clerical
staff to assist you with scheduling your appointments or addressing any
questions you may have during the course of your treatment. Our program also
provides social workers, pastoral care staff, dietitians and rehabilitation
specialists to assist you.
Where Do I Park?
Park in Lot G, follow sidewalk to the cafeteria entrance. Proceed through
double doors. The first door on your left will be Radiation Oncology.
Who Do I See?
You will see our Medical Office Assistants who will help with your health
history, insurance and other information. Our Nursing Staff will then
interview you before your visit with the Radiation Oncologist. The Radiation
Oncologist will discuss your case with you and explain options for your
care. From this discussion you may be advised to do the following:
Have A Simulation
Using our dedicated 85 cm Bore Scanner, we will do a CT scan in the
position that you will be treated. This takes approximately 30 minutes. At
this time you will be given an appointment to return for treatment.
Then What?
Your CT scan will be sent to our Physics department where a treatment plan
will be designed specifically for you by our Medical Dosimetry Team under
the direction of the Radiation Oncologist. When you return for the
appointment you were given you will be taken to the Linear Accelerator.
Here, the Radiation Therapists will fit this plan to your needs to assure
that all parameters match. Pictures will be taken and "tatoo's" will be
given to mark the treatment area, guaranteeing that the same area is treated
every day. Your treatments will take a total of 15-20 minutes.
After Treatment, What Happens?
You will be given follow-up appointments to see the Nursing and Physician
Staffs to monitor your skin and your overall response to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I be treated?
Your treatment is given daily.
Can I drive?
If you drive currently, and have not been medically advised not to drive,
you may continue to do so.
Can I work?
Most patients work, play golf, travel, etc. There is very little physical
limitation during your radiation therapy.
Types of Radiation Therapy/Treatment Offered at Lourdes:
1. External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy is the most common radiation therapy
application. It involves high energy ionizing radiation produced by a linear
accelerator. External beam therapy is used in the treatment of many types of
malignancies. The treatment is painless and is carried out over a period of
several weeks.
2. Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a term used to describe a type of radiation treatment where
radioactive sources are implanted into the body. These radiation sources can
be removed following treatment or in some cases, remain in the body.
Radioactive implants are used to treat a wide range of malignancies (e.g.
prostate, breast, lung, and cervical cancer.) Lourdes has the only high dose
brachytherapy program in the Greater Binghamton region.
- Prostate Seed Implants
- Mammosite (High Dose Radiation) HDR
- HDR for gynecological tumors
- HDR for lung tumors
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Program
One common side effect of radiation therapy is damage to the bone and
tissue in the "line of fire" of the radiation beam directed toward a tumor.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment
sometimes used to help repair the damage.
HBOT is a medical treatment that involves delivering high doses of oxygen to
the body. It is done by breathing 100% oxygen through special head gear
while inside a pressurized chamber. The chamber at Lourdes holds up to 10
patients at a time and is the only multi-place chamber in the region.
The pressure in the chamber causes the oxygen you breathe to be dissolved in
your blood. This extra oxygen is used by the body in many ways. It helps
to reduce swelling, control infection and stimulate the growth of new blood
vessels.
HBOT is called an �adjunctive therapy� because it is to be used along with
other forms of treatment your physician has prescribed. Adding HBOT is
proven to significantly increase healing over standard care alone.
HBOT can help treat radiation necrosis and radiation cystitis, and it can
help in the prevention of osteomyelitis in a previously irradiated jaw for
those people who require dental procedures. Talk with your radiation
oncologist for more information about other approved conditions that HBOT
can help treat.
Most insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including Medicare
and Medicaid. We will assist in obtaining verification of coverage from
your insurance company prior to starting treatments.
Learn more about Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy at Lourdes.