Treatment Options

Radiation therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment for certain cancers and some nonmalignant conditions. Often radiation therapy will be used along with surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of the two.

This treatment uses high-energy rays and electron beams to interrupt the growth of cells. Machines called linear accelerators use electricity to create painless, high-energy X-rays and electron beams that are precisely delivered to the target treatment site.

Your radiation oncologist, a specially trained physician, will decide the dosage, technique and type of radiation best suited for your individual needs.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation (IMRT)

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, or IMRT, can intricately direct a beam of radiation to its target from a variety of angles. It allows physicians to minimize “hot spots” that can be accompanied by painful skin irritations. UToledo Health uses cutting-edge technology in designing radiation treatment plans that are highly customized to each patient. The system evaluates many possible combinations of radiation beam shape, size and angles to help UToledo Health radiation oncologists create the most appropriate treatment plan. Learn more.

Radioisotope Therapy

Radioisotope therapy is a targeted therapy. Radioisotopes are delivered through the bloodstream or orally through ingestion. At UToledo Health, Iodine-131 is used to treat thyroid cancer. The therapy is usually given by mouth (liquid or capsules). The Iodine-131 is ingested, and it is concentrated in the thyroid cells, killing the cancer cells. If the dose is low enough the patient's treatment is given as an outpatient. Learn more.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a procedure that relies on complex brain mapping techniques and computer technology. The patient undergoes CT scanning that takes painless cross-sectional pictures of the brain. Once the CT data are gathered, the physics team enters the data into a high-powered computer. The tumor regions and important brain structures are carefully outlined. The computer reconstructs the anatomical structures in 3D using the graphics programs developed at UToledo. The software identifies potential crossing of radiation beams with critical structures in the brain such as the eyes, optic nerves, brain stem and the internal capsule that carries nerve bundles to the spinal cord. Learn more.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Treatment (SBRT)

Stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT) utilizes highly precise radiation treatment delivered in one to five sessions (high dose per fraction). It can be used to control tumors in the lungs, liver, adrenal glands, bones and other sites. SBRT minimizes the radiation dose received by adjacent normal tissues and is therefore usually well-tolerated. Learn more.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

Dynamic Targeting IGRT technology accounts for motion to ensure that the target is in the same position during each treatment session. With Dynamic Targeting IGRT, innovative radiographic, fluoroscopic and cone-beam CT modes are integrated with automated repositioning and motion management visualization software. This enables clinicians to verify that treatments are in sync the patient’s breathing patterns.

Dynamic Targeting IGRT provides high-resolution, 3D images to pinpoint tumor sites, adjust patient positioning when necessary, and complete a treatment — all within the standard treatment time slot. These capabilities take IMRT and stereotactic IMRT technologies one step further by raising the quality of patient care and improving efficiency. Learn more.