Radiation therapy is used to destroy cancer cells, sometimes in combination of other cancer fighting treatments.. The goal of cancer radiation is to target specific tumors with the exact amount of radiation, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

The SmartBeam system from Varian Medical Systems uses intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The system uses a new linear accelerator so advanced it can generate and focus a radiation beam to target tumor cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

To protect radiation patients, doctors formerly created custom lead molds to shape the beam around patients to limit damage to healthy tissues. IMRT uses special targeting software and a laser-accurate beam to treat only cancerous tissues. The machine can even track tumors in moving areas such as the lung so healthy tissue is not affected.

This means doctors can use higher doses of radiation with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

IMRT treatments are delivered using a sophisticated beam shaping accessory called a multi-leaf collimator. The linear accelerator generates the high energy x-rays used to treat cancer and the multileaf collimator uses 120 computer-controlled mechanical "leaves" or "fingers" that control the shape, size, depth and timing of the beam to deliver exact doses in three dimensions.

The technology has proven itself with substantially improved clinical outcomes in many studies. Published prostate cancer studies conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York showed that, when compared with other forms of radiation therapy, IMRT more than doubled the rate of tumor control, from 43 to 96 percent. At the same time, the rate of normal tissue complications decreased from 10 to 2 percent.

Office Hours:

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Locations:

Carbondale Location:

Memorial Hospital of Carbondale

405 West Jackson Street

Carbondale, IL 62901

618-549-0721 ext. 65700

Marion Location:

3117 Williamson County Parkway

Marion, IL 62959

618-997-6695

Physicians providing services at and admitting patients to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital are not employees of the hospitals. Physicians exercise their own independent judgment regarding medical care and treatment and the hospitals are not responsible for their actions.