OUR SERVICES
We provide comprehensive cancer services, especially as they relate to cancer treatment using radiotherapy as a component of treatment. All services are available to all patients from both of our practice locations. We are proud to offer the finest technology available in the region.

Our services include:

INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT)
B-MODE ACQUISITION AND TARGETING (BAT)
EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION
3-DIMENSIONAL CONFORMAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY
ELECTRON BEAM RADIATION
SUPERFICIAL X-RAY THERAPY
CHEMORADIOTHERAPY
CT PLANNING
HIGH-DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY
LOW-DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY
PROSTATE SEEDS
GYN INTRACAVITY IMPLANTS


INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT) is the most significant breakthrough in cancer treatment in the last 30 years. IMRT technology is able to conform radiation beams to the size, shape and location of the tumor, matching radiation dose to the contour of the tumor while minimizing the impact on surrounding healthy tissue. It can be used to treat any type of cancer, whether it is in the brain, esophagus, neck, breast, lung, kidney, liver, abdomen, extremity, spine, cervix or prostate. Doctors at The Center for Cancer Care expect IMRT to virtually eliminate side effects, improve patient outcomes significantly, and reduce the need for surgery and lengthy hospital stays.

B-MODE ACQUISITION AND TARGETING (BAT) is an ultrasound based targeting system used with external beam radiation to localize targets that may move from one treatment day to the next. This new technology ensures radiation beams are hitting the desired target. BAT is a simple, noninvasive way to deliver a more precise treatment. At The Center for Cancer Care, BAT is used in conjunction with IMRT. BAT supported IMRT is used extensively in the treatment of prostate cancer, and other good targets for the system include tumors in the breast, kidney, pancreas, liver, bladder and uterus. This technology offers the potential for improved cancer cure rates by allowing the safe delivery of higher radiation doses while simultaneously minimizing the risk of treatment related complications.

EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION involves using x-rays to target the cancer. The x-rays are given externally, penetrating the skin to reach deeper structures such as the lungs, prostate and breast without damaging the skin or other superficial structures. To do this, a machine called a Linear Accelerator is used. It is a very powerful machine that uses man-made energy x-rays to treat cancer. Our facilities use the latest, state-of-the-art Siemens M6 and Mevatron M6D machines which allow multiple energies and electron beam capabilities.
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3-DIMENSIONAL COMFORMAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY uses the latest in targeting of the tumor and combines very sophisticated treatment using multiple beams to shape radiation. This is a very precise way to treat the cancer while minimizing damage normally seen with older techniques of radiation therapy. This procedure is accomplished using a CAT Scan to view the targeted area more precisely and to see the normal structures in the vicinity of the cancer that must be avoided. Being highly-precise, 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation is useful for prostate cancer, lung cancer, all pelvic and abdominal cancers and brain tumors. Although not widely available at all cancer centers, it is available at both of our facilities.
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ELECTRON BEAM RADIATION is used for targeting superficial structures such as skin cancers or when treating other structures where it is desirable to avoid dosage to deeper areas. An example of the usefulness of this procedure is the treatment of the lumpectomy cavity in women with breast cancer. Using electrons enables us to precisely target the cavity without damaging the breast resulting in a more desirable cosmetic outcome. Electrons are a special type of radiation that are produced only by sophisticated linear accelerators like the ones available at our facilities. They are a valuable asset in the arsenal of cancer treatment.
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SUPERFICIAL X-RAY THERAPY is a form of x-ray used to target skin cancers. The Center for Cancer Care specializes in skin cancer, offering this modality as an alternative to surgery. This form of radiation is delivered daily for several weeks and results in equally successful cure rates as with surgery with better cosmetic results. Additionally, Superficial X-Ray Therapy can be used in cases where surgery would be deforming, such as the nose, eyelids or lips, or in situations where the risks of surgery are too great.
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CHEMORADIOTHERAPY is the joint use of chemotherapy with radiation therapy. In the modern era of cancer research and treatment, we are discovering that these two procedures, when used together, often result in better curability. To do this we coordinate the chemotherapy with your medical oncologist while the radiation therapy is done in our offices. Often the chemotherapy is given simultaneously with daily radiation targeting tumors such as lung cancer and cervical cancer. Esophageal and other GI cancers are often treated in this way as well. We are very capable of providing this service to our patients.
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CT PLANNING uses the latest in imaging technology to see where your tumor is located. Spiral (helical), 3rd generation CAT scanners are used to visualize the cancer and the anatomy. These images are captured to better plan all of the necessary therapy in indicated situations. By doing this, we are able to precisely determine the location, shape and extent of the cancer in a very exact way and also determine the location of any surrounding organs that should be avoided. This new targeting technology will soon be the standard of care in cancer patients. Our facilities have used this technology for over two years in cases of 2-D Planning and the planning of 3-D Conformal Radiation.
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HIGH-DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY implements a form of internal radiation to treat cancer. The Nucletron Remote Afterloader machine houses a high-activity, precisely-delivered form of radiation to treat internal cancers such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer and gynecological cancers. It is performed as an outpatient service at our Princeton location. It is also the latest, state-of-the-art treatment of cancer and is often done in conjunction with traditional external beam radiation in order to give higher doses of radiation in a targeted, internal way.
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LOW-DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY uses internal radiation in much the same way as High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy. However, instead of treating cancer as an outpatient, this procedure commonly requires admitting a patient to a hospital. This is sometimes necessary in situations where High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy cannot be performed or at facilities where HDR is not available. It is essentially another way to achieve the same results. Both high and low dose technologies are closely-monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and The Center for Cancer Care has consistently received the highest approval in their regular inspections.
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PROSTATE SEEDS are a new, emerging technological advance in the battle against prostate cancer. The Center for Cancer Care is one of only a few clinics in the state that offer this innovative treatment. To perform this procedure, small radioactive pellets, commonly referred to as “seeds”, are placed into the prostate by the radiation oncologist. Most commonly iodine or palladium are used. Preloaded needles or a Mick applicator can be used depending on the preference of the radiation oncologist. This form of cancer therapy works by radiation internally, is performed as an outpatient procedure with your urologist and involves no incisions. It allows for a more precise treatment of the prostate with less long-term effects and is a safer way to treat cancer. We have the most sophisticated equipment available for this curative strategy and commonly offer it to most of our prostate cancer patients. Recent studies comparing surgery to seed implants shows no decrease in survival rates between the two procedures at a 12-year follow-up. This signifies that the success rate of seed implants is equally curative as surgery in the treatment and abolishment of prostate cancer. The Center for Cancer Care is proud to be among the first and the best to offer this treatement.
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GYN INTRACAVITY IMPLANTS are another way to use internal radiation for treatment of gynecological cancers. Using either Low-Dose Rate or High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy, we add internal radiation in a more precise and targeted fashion to the cervix, uterus or vagina. This is often performed as a supplement to External Beam Radiation. We are the only center in our region to offer this form of treatment.
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