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.