- What is Radiation Therapy?
Answer: Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer cells in many different areas of the body. It is delivered by a specialized machine with the ability to generate a highly effective and controlled radiation beam that is specifically designed to treat cancer while minimizing exposure to surrounding normal organs.
- How is radiation therapy used in the treatment of cancer?
Answer: Radiation oncology is the field of cancer treatment that harnesses radiation to relieve symptoms, shrink or destroy tumors, and even cure certain cancers. It is a versatile modality that can be used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, depending on the cancer type and stage. For cancer patients who undergo surgery, radiation can be used prior to surgery to shrink the tumor and increase the chance of the surgery’s success, or after surgery to destroy any possible remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy can also be an effective tool to relieve symptoms from advanced cancer such as pain.
- Are radiation treatments painful?
Answer: Radiation treatments delivered by a machine are painless and noninvasive. Patients are generally able to continue their usual daily routine while they are receiving radiation treatments.
- What are the side effects of radiation treatments?
Answer: Side effects depend on which part of the body is receiving radiation treatments. For example, radiation treatments aimed at the scalp can cause hair loss and skin irritation. Side effects are generally temporary and diminish over time.
- Why does the choice of radiation treatment center matter?
Answer: Radiation oncology is a highly specialized field with a rapid pace of technological advancement, where outcomes are shaped by the skill of the practitioner who designs the treatment plan and the precision of the machine delivering the radiation treatment. After researching all available options, patients should choose a center they feel excels in both these areas.
- What is special about the cancer treatment delivered at Precision Radiation Oncology?
Answer: Any patient who receives radiation therapy at Precision Radiation Oncology can be confident they are receiving among the most advanced treatments available in Southern California due to the technology and medical staff.
Skyline is the first radiation facility in Orange County to treat patients with the TrueBeam radiation machine, the newest technology from Varian Medical Systems, the world leader in radiation technology. TrueBeam generates and delivers radiation faster and more efficiently than previous generations of machines, meaning less treatment time for patients. TrueBeam’s built-in imaging system can visualize the tumor and surrounding organs faster and with less radiation dose than previous generations of machines, allowing for more precise radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
Skyline is also the first and only facility in Southern California to use the Elekta Clarity System, a cutting edge imaging technology which provides real time tracking of tumor movement during the actual radiation session. This addresses a classic limitation in the delivery of radiation—due to normal bodily functions like breathing and digestion, a cancer target can vary in position from day-to-day and within the few minutes of a radiation session. It can even move outside of the radiation field. The Elekta Clarity system can track a target’s movement during the actual radiation treatment continuously in real-time. This allows the treatment team to pause and adjust the radiation treatment should the target move away from the radiation beam. With improved targeting, healthy tissues can be spared even better than before. Unlike other systems, the Elekta Clarity system is noninvasive and does not require the placement of markers inside the body. The Elekta Clarity system is currently indicated for use in prostate and breast cancer with more clinical indications pending.
- Tell me about the Skyline Oncology Treatment Team.
Answer: All cancer patients at Skyline are treated by Dr. Paul Kim, a board-certified radiation oncologist who has trained at leading radiation oncology centers in the United States and brings the latest radiation techniques to the center. After he first consults with each patient, he leads his team of radiation therapists, nurses, dosimetrists, and a physicist to design and execute a customized treatment plan, all while delivering high-quality patient care.
- What kinds of cancers does Precision Radiation Oncology treat?
Answer: Precision Radiation Oncology treats a wide variety of cancers including those of the brain, spine, breast, head-and-neck, lung, stomach, esophagus, gynecologic, prostate, bladder, colon, rectum, lymphatic system, and skin.
- What types of radiation therapy are offered at Precision Radiation Oncology ?
Answer: At Precision Radiation Oncology, a wide-range of cutting-edge treatment choices is available to design the most effective radiation plan.
• 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy
• Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
• Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
• Stereotactic Spine Radiotherapy
• Electron beam therapy
• Brachytherapy
• Palliative Radiation Therapy
With all these radiation treatment choices, a unique and customized radiation plan is constructed for every individual patient to treat the cancer while minimizing radiation exposure to normal healthy organs.
- Where do the treatments take place?
Answer: Precision Radiation Oncology is an outpatient center where radiation treatments are delivered. The center has easy access and convenience not typical of hospitals and office buildings. Patients can easily access the treatment rooms from the parking lot without the need for elevators or stairs. The center is conveniently located next to the Tustin Metrolink and major freeways.
- Will insurance cover radiation treatment?
Answer: Radiation therapy is reimbursed by Medicare and is approved by most HMOs and private insurance carriers. Coverage is generally good, although an individual plan may be subject to co-pay and/or deductible amounts. Our staff will be more than happy to assist with coverage questions.
- What is the first step in getting radiation treatment?
Answer: The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul Kim to determine whether radiation treatments are appropriate. Usually this visit will include a review of the clinical history and a physical examination. Dr. Kim will review the treatment options, goals of treatment as well as any risks. Usually a patient will not begin radiation treatment at this time, although patients may start the radiation planning process the same day.
