better , and this is a step in that direction .”
The Novalis TX is a frameless radiosurgery device that uses a mask molded from a patient ’ s face , along with complex and sophisticated imaging and robotic movements , to ensure the precision of the radiation therapy . Other radiosurgery treatments require a metal frame to be screwed into a patient ’ s skull , with a treatment time of sometimes up to several hours .
Before patients receive radiosurgery with the Novalis TX , they will usually have a 4-D CT ( computerized tomography ) scan and / or a high-resolution MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging ) scan . These complex imaging modalities allow radiation oncologists to pinpoint the location of the tumor within the body and watch its movement . “ We can actually see the tumor itself and how it moves , so we know we ’ re aiming right at it ,” says Dr . Mutyala . “ This lets us deliver the radiation with more precision .”
The Novalis TX uses a radiation beam that can be conformed to match the tumor ’ s size and dimension . “ This technology holds exciting promise , and will be used on tumors of the brain , lung , spine , pancreas , and liver ,” says Mr . Prosser .
Another new technology being offered for patients is brachytherapy , a form of radiation that uses a radioactive source placed close to or in a tumor rather than delivering a beam from a distance . Some cancers , such as prostate cancer , can be treated with minimal surgery using needles and implanting a radioactive seed into the prostate , rather than several weeks of external beam radiation or open surgery
removing the prostate . Brachytherapy can be used to treat several cancers , such as prostate , cervix , skin sarcomas , and others . The use of brachytherapy allows radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor , thus reducing the dose to almost zero for all other organs . “ Using brachytherapy allows treatment of the tumor basically inside out , where we deliver extremely high doses of radiation to the tumor , and essentially
nothing else , which improves cancer control and decreases side effects ,” says Dr . Mutyala .
Dr . Mutyala is considered one of the nation ’ s experts in brachytherapy . He studied at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at Harvard Medical School in Boston , Massachusetts . “ I am excited to have new and cutting-edge treatments [ radiosugery and brachytherapy ] right here in Central Texas and at Scott & White .”
More physicians expand expertise More expertise in radiation oncology is available for patients , because more physicians have joined the Scott & White Cancer Institute ’ s team . Their presence enhances the already impressive skills set of the department . Angela DeRobertis , MD , specializes in radiation treatment for breast cancer , coming from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston , and Harvard Medical School , and prior to that , the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston . She
“ We can actually see the tumor itself and how it moves , so we know we ’ re aiming right at it . This lets us deliver the radiation with more precision .”
— Dr . Subhakar Mutyala
is also the director of the new residency program for radiation oncology . The fouryear program , for graduates of medical school who seek to become board certified in radiation oncology , is set to start in July 2012 . “ The new program will allow the department to train the radiation oncologists of the future , and enhance patient care ,” says Dr . Mutyala .
Dr . Mutyala also welcomes Nitika Thawani , MD , and Gregory Swanson , MD . Dr . Thawani joins the team from the Albert Einstein Cancer Center in New York , and is the director of the stereotactic radiation
www . sw . org | Spring 11 THE CATALYST 21