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Adjuvant therapy

A treatment that is given in addition to the primary treatment to enhance its effectiveness and reduce the chance of the tumor recurring.

 

Applicator

A device used to hold a radioactive source in place during brachytherapy.

 

Port films

Another term for port films, beam films are pictures of the position of the radiation beams used to treat cancer. They are used to verify the position of the beams and confirm that treatment is delivered to the right place. (not to assess tumors.)

 

Biologic therapy

Also called immunotherapy, biologic therapy works with your immune system to fight cancer. Biologic therapy is like chemotherapy. The difference is that chemotherapy attacks the cancer directly and biologic therapy helps your immune system fight the disease better.

 

Blocks

Pieces of metal alloy that can be used to shape the radiation beam.

 

Boost

An additional dose of radiation that is given after an initial course of radiation to enhance tumor control

 

Brachytherapy or implant

Internal radiation therapy that involves placing radioactive sources inside or adjacent to the tumor.

 

Cancer

A group of diseases in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor or mass.

 

Catheter

A tube inserted into the body that can be used to deliver radiation during brachytherapy.

 

Chemotherapy

Medications given to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

 

Clinical trials

Studies that test new cancer therapies.

 

CT or CAT scan

A computer assisted tomography scan is an imaging study that uses X-rays and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body.

 

High-dose-rate remote fterloading
or HDR

A brachytherapy treatment delivering radiation with a small, intense radioactive source on the tip of a flexible wire inserted into hollow tubes placed into or near a tumor by a radiation oncologist.

 

Hormone therapy

Natural hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, help some tumors grow. To stop their growth, doctors sometimes prescribe hormone therapy to reduce the amount of hormones produced by the body in order to stop the growth of the cancer.

 

Hyperfractionated radiation
therapy

A type of radiation therapy in which the radiation doses are divided into smaller amounts and patients undergo treatment more than once a day.

 

Hypofractionated radiation
therapy

A type of radiation therapy in which patients undergo one or just a few treatments.

 

Image-guided radiation therapy
IGRT

A radiation treatment guided by imaging equipment, such as CT, ultrasound or X-rays, taken in the treatment room just before radiation is given. During IGRT, doctors compare these images to see if the treatment needs to be changed.

 

Immobilization device

A device that is used to help a patient remain in the same position during every treatment.

 

Immunotherapy

Also called biologic therapy, immunotherapy works with your immune system to fight cancer.

 

Intensity modulated radiation
therapy or IMRT

IMRT is a specialized form of external beam therapy that can help improve how the radiation is shaped to fit your tumor.

 

Interstitial brachytherapy

A form of seed implant where radioactive sources are placed directly into the tumor (such as the prostate).

 

Intracavitary brachytherapy

A type of brachytherapy where the radioactive sources are placed into a space where the tumor is located, such as the cervix or windpipe.