For Physicians

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

This advanced form of 3D conformal radiation therapy was offered in Louisiana first by Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute in 1996. IMRT allows the patient to receive a higher dose of radiation while protecting the surrounding normal tissue structures by varying the size, shape, depth and intensity of the radiation beam across the tumor or target. The intensity is varied by the placement of "leaves", which either block or allow the passage of radiation. Typically several beams from multiple directions are delivered. By combining these non-uniform beams it is possible to deliver dose distributions that more closely match the shape and volume of the tumor.

RapidArc Radiation Therapy

RAPIDARC Radiotherapy Technology is an innovative system that represents the latest evolution of cancer treatment technology, setting new benchmarks for speed, precision and patient comfort. Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute is among the first treatment centers in the state to offer "RapidArc Technology." RapidArc uses a unique algorithm that provides unprecedented treatment delivery control. As a result, treatment plans can be developed that excel in covering target goals while sparing critical structures. RapidArc is also efficient with treatment being performed faster than ever. Its single gantry rotation speeds treatment delivery so clinicians can develop treatments that take one-half to one-eighth the time of conventional IMRT treatments - just two to three minutes in many cases. A RapidArc treatment may also result in less radiation leakage and scatter, so peripheral tissues receive a lower overall dose.

Respiratory Gated and Deep Breath Hold Radiation Treatment

Respiratory gated radiation therapy offers a potential improvement in the irradiation of tumor sites affected by respiratory motion such as lung, breast and liver treatment. Strategies to reduce respiratory motion include shallow breathing utilizing abdominal compression, breath hold techniques, respiratory gated and tracking techniques.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

This technique is designed to deliver radiation therapy very precisely to certain tumors in the body. The word stereotactic pertains to the precise positioning and localization of a tumor in relationship to the body. The technology used in SBRT allows external beam radiation to be delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Such advancement in the accuracy of radiation treatments allows for a higher dose of radiation to be delivered, thus potentially improving the likelihood of killing cancer cells of a tumor. Another benefit of improved accuracy is that treatments can be completed in a short period of time. Typically, SBRT consists of 3 to 5 treatments carried out over the course of 1 to 2 weeks. The precision associated with SBRT simultaneously helps reduce the dose of radiation to normal tissue around the tumor, also helping to reduce side effects for patients. SBRT is especially helpful in treatment of certain small tumors of the lung when the patient is not a surgical candidate. Each SRS or SBRT procedure is carried out by a qualified team that consists of a Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, a Board Certified PhD Physicist, a Board Certified MS Physicist, Registered and Certified Radiation Therapists, and an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS utilizes special treatment software and hardware and is designed to precisely deliver a single high dose of radiation in a one day session. SRS has such a dramatic effect in the target zone that the changes are considered "surgical." Through the use of three-dimensional computer-aided treatment planning and a high degree of immobilization, the treatment can minimize the amount of radiation that passes through healthy brain tissue. SRS is routinely used to treat small brain lesions when a tumor is inaccessible by surgical means. Each SRS or SBRT procedure is carried out by a qualified team that consists of a Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, a Board Certified PhD Physicist, a Board Certified MS Physicist, Registered and Certified Radiation Therapists, and an Oncology Certified Registered Nurse.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT)

SRT is an advanced form of stereotactic radiation delivery which is similar to SRS except that SRT delivers a large total dose of radiation over a fractionated treatment schedule (multiple days).

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) using KV and Conebeam CT Imaging techniques

IGRT represents one of the most significant technical advances in the field of radiation therapy. IGRT allows the treatment team to obtain detailed images prior to treatment to help correctly position and align the target volume. The precision of IGRT offers patients the best chance for cure with the least chance of damaging nearby healthy tissue. Not every patient will need or benefit from IGRT, but your physician has this tool available and can use it if you are a candidate for this type of procedure.

Non-Coplanar and intra-fraction detection using BrainLab ExacTrac® x-ray imaging

ExacTrac® is an in-room X-Ray based monitoring system that detects intra-fractional tumor motion during treatment delivery, regardless of the couch angle or gantry position. Instantaneous X-Ray imaging with proprietary 6D fusion provides fast and highly accurate positioning information and reduces the possibility of geographical miss due to patient motion or internal anatomical shifts. ExacTrac® X-Ray monitoring complements existing IGRT solutions by providing the added possibility of detecting intra-fraction motion, regardless of couch and gantry angle. It allows the patient’s initial position, set by the linac-based IGRT system, to be continuously verified with X-Ray imaging throughout the entire treatment delivery. Even at non-coplanar couch angles and during beam-on, ExacTrac® can detect potential misalignment of the patient.

High Dose Rate (HDR) Remote Afterloading Brachytherapy utilizing Iridium 192

Brachytherapy (Radiation Implant) is a common method for treatment of gynecological cancers. This treatment utilizes special applicators that are inserted into body cavities or tissue to position the radiation source in close proximity to the cancerous area. These applicators are then connected by a catheter to a high dose rate remote afterloader. The afterloader then precisely places the radioactive source within the applicator for treatment.

Partial Breast Irradiation utilizing the "SAVI" technique

Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute was the first Cancer Center in the State of Louisiana to offer partial breast irradiation treatment via the SAVI (Strut Assisted Volume Implant) applicator. The SAVI offers advancement in the field of partial breast radiation for women with breast cancer who are undergoing breast conservation therapy. Breast conservation therapy includes lumpectomy, the surgical removal of the cancerous tissue within the breast, followed by radiation. This is an alternative to mastectomy in certain breast cancer patients. Historically, breast conserving radiotherapy was delivered to the whole breast Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. Partial breast irradiation is now able to be offered to selected patients in a manner that only treats the lumpectomy cavity in a twice a day fashion for 5 days. The new SAVI applicator facilitates delivery of this form of radiation therapy which is known as brachytherapy. Many women may find the accelerated treatment with the SAVI as a significant benefit. A surgeon places the SAVI applicator into the patient's lumpectomy cavity using ultrasound guidance. Afterward the patient is scheduled to come to the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute as an outpatient for radiation treatment. The Radiation Oncologist and the Medical Physicist then have the ability via complex treatment planning computers to contour the radiation specifically to the lumpectomy cavity. This allows the patient to get a customized treatment plan. After the 10th treatment (5th day of treatment) the SAVI device is removed. The SAVI procedure offered at Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute is designed to make the benefits of breast conservation therapy and brachytherapy more available to Northeast Louisiana surgeons and their breast cancer patients.

"Xofigo" Radium 223 radioactive isotope administration for prostate cancer

Underscoring our commitment to bring the latest medicines to patients, another therapy in our roster of treatment options is Xofigo®, the first and only alpha particle-emitting radioactive therapeutic agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease. Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute is offering this therapy because according to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. This year alone, it is estimated that more than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with the cancer and nearly 29,500 men will die from the disease in the USA. If prostate cancer starts to spread to other areas of the body (metastasize), it most commonly goes to the bones. Once the cancer has reached the bone, interactions between tumor cells and the bone cells responsible for breaking down and rebuilding bone result in excessive bone rebuilding and rapid tumor growth. Ninety percent of all men with CRPC have radiological evidence of bone metastases, which are shown to be one of the main causes of death in patients with CRPC.

Strontium 90 radioactive isotope administration for metastatic bone cancer

Metastron (Strontium 89 Chloride injection) is given intravenously and can be used to treat primary bone tumors and metastatic bone lesions (blastic lesions)

Full range of computerized treatment planning with CT, PET/CT and MRI fusion capabilities

Computerized Treatment Planning uses patient images obtained from one or more methods (CT, MRI, PET) to collect and network data into our treatment planning computers. Patient images and radiation beam data are then manipulated by dosimetrists, physicists, and physicians to model and plan the most accurate treatment for each patient.