2016 Cancer Annual Report | Page 8

RADIATION Therapy

Renown Institute for Cancer Radiation Therapy completed renovation in August 2016 . This redesign allowed for improved care by :
• Adding two new , state-of-the-art linear accelerators that are the most technically progressive treatment machines on the market today , bringing our number of external beam treatment machines to three .
• Doubling the number of exam rooms from four to eight .
• Relocating the nursing staff closer to the waiting rooms and treatment areas for efficiency and patient care .
• Addition of two inpatient waiting rooms , providing a comfortable and quiet space .
Renown Health Foundation was instrumental in helping to raise $ 1 million toward this project with donations from community philanthropy .
In 2011 , Radiation Therapy was the first in the region to be accredited by the American College of Radiologists in Radiation Oncology ( ACR-RO ). We have maintained that accreditation by continually striving to be northern Nevada ’ s center of excellence in Radiation Oncology .
Our team offers several different types of treatments , including :
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy ( IMRT ) and RapidArc Therapy – delivering radiation that is customized to the size , shape , and location of the tumor in a precise and timely manner .
• Image Guided Radiation Therapy ( IGRT ) – each treatment machine has the ability to perform a CT just prior to each treatment . During delivery , we can use fluoroscopy ( live movie ) or snap shot imaging to track tumor movement during treatment , giving doctors the opportunity to make adjustments that ensure accuracy .
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery ( SRS ) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy ( SBRT ) – this radiation delivery is so accurate , it ’ s used to treat small tumors of the brain and body , while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue . This is “ surgery ” without undergoing anesthesia or any incisions , but rather by delivering radiation in 1-5 treatments .
• High Dose Rate Brachytherapy ( HDR ) – temporary insertion of a “ live ” radioactive source within a catheter for treatment inside your body for breast , lung , gynecologic and other cancers .
• Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy ( LDR ) – where live radioactive seeds are permanently deployed into the prostate for treatment .
Daisha Puccinelli Radiation Therapist
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