Houston, Texas
Radiation Oncology
Looking for radiation oncology in Houston? Look no further than Millennium Physicians. Our team of board-certified Radiation Oncologists uses the most advanced radiation equipment and technology to treat cancer and other diseases, including Brachytherapy, Electronic Brachytherapy, and Optune for High-Grade Glioma.
With a variety of the latest techniques in radiation oncology, we can deliver a higher radiation dose to the tumor while reducing irradiation to normal tissue. This approach improves the effectiveness of oncology radiation therapy while also reducing toxicity and improving our patient's quality of life.
Our Radiation Oncologists work closely with your primary doctor and other cancer specialists, such as surgeons and medical oncologists, to provide the most effective outcome based on your cancer type. Whether you need radiotherapy for lung cancer or breast cancer, we are here to help.
Variety of Radiation Therapy Treatment Options
There are several ways to deliver radiation therapy, depending on the location, size, and type of cancer. At Millennium Physicians, we will work with you to determine the best course of action for your unique situation. Whether you need radiation therapy to eliminate tumors, reduce the risk of cancer returning after surgery or chemotherapy, or relieve pain, we are here to help.
Our board-certified Radiation Oncologists will work with your primary doctor and other cancer specialists, such as surgeons and medical oncologists, to oversee your care and provide the most effective outcome based on your cancer type.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of various forms of radiation to safely and effectively treat cancer and other diseases. Radiation therapy works by damaging the genetic material within cancer cells. Once this happens, the cancer cells are not able to grow and spread. When these damaged cancer cells die, the body naturally removes them. Normal cells are also affected by radiation, but they can repair themselves in a way that cancer cells cannot. Your radiation oncologist will develop a plan to deliver the radiation to the tumor area, shielding as much surrounding normal tissue as possible.
You need to discuss the goal of your treatment with your radiation oncologist. The goal of radiation therapy is to deliver enough radiation to kill cancer cells while preventing damage to healthy tissue. There are several ways to do this. Depending on the location, size, and type of cancer, you may receive one or a combination of techniques. Your treatment team will help you decide which treatments are best for you. Radiation therapy may be used to:
Our radiation therapy services can help you in various ways. We can use it to:
Our experienced radiation oncologists will work with you to determine the best approach for your specific needs. We use advanced radiation equipment and technology to ensure the most effective and safe treatment possible. So if you need radiation therapy, you can trust us to provide the care and support you need.
Radiation Treatments Offered At Millennium Physicians
Brachytherapy: A Targeted Radiation Treatment
If you are looking for a targeted and effective radiation treatment, Brachytherapy may be the right choice for you. This treatment involves placing radioactive sources in or near the tumor, delivering high doses of radiation directly to the cancerous cells.
At Millennium Physicians, we offer both permanent and temporary Brachytherapy options, depending on the type and stage of your cancer. With our advanced radiation equipment and technology, we can ensure precise placement of the radioactive sources, minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that typically involves little to no downtime. Our experienced Radiation Oncologists will work with you to determine if Brachytherapy is the right option for your cancer treatment. Contact us today to learn more.
Dynamic Targeting® Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Precision Treatment for Cancer
When it comes to cancer treatment, precision is key. That's why at Millennium Physicians, we offer Dynamic Targeting® Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) to our patients. This advanced treatment takes into consideration patient body movement and breathing patterns to deliver accurate radiation directly to the tumor. By doing so, we can avoid nearby healthy tissue and minimize the risk of side effects.
With our state-of-the-art technology, we can create detailed 3D images of the treatment area, allowing our Radiation Oncologists to develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient. This way, we can ensure that the radiation is targeted precisely where it's needed, improving the effectiveness of the treatment and reducing the risk of damage to healthy tissue.
Dynamic Targeting® IGRT is a safe and effective option for cancer treatment, and our experienced Radiation Oncologists will work with you to determine if it's the right choice for your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about this advanced treatment option.
Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx): A Non-Invasive Option for NMSC Treatment
At Millennium Physicians, we offer Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) as an advanced and patient-friendly option for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) treatment. This non-invasive approach uses a miniaturized x-ray source to deliver a precise radiation dose to your cancer lesion. Unlike surgery, eBx requires no cutting, bleeding, or stitching, allowing patients to return to normal activities immediately with no downtime.
Skin eBx is a completely non-invasive option that provides an effective and convenient alternative to surgery, especially for patients who cannot undergo surgery or prefer a non-invasive approach. This targeted treatment directs the radiation to the size and shape of the cancerous area, carefully destroying cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. While surgery is considered to be the standard of care for NMSC, eBx offers a safe and effective alternative for eligible patients.
Our experienced Radiation Oncologists will work with you to determine if eBx is the right choice for your NMSC treatment. Contact us today to learn more about this innovative and non-invasive treatment option.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Targeted Treatment for Cancer
At Millennium Physicians, we use Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) as a specialized form of 3-D CRT to provide targeted cancer treatment. IMRT allows us to shape the radiation beam to cover the tumor and spare more normal tissue. This advanced treatment breaks up the radiation beam into many "beamlets," with the intensity of each beamlet individually adjusted. This way, we can further limit the amount of radiation received by healthy tissue near the tumor, improving the effectiveness of the treatment while reducing the risk of side effects.
Using IMRT, it may also be possible to safely deliver a higher dose of radiation to the tumor, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Our experienced Radiation Oncologists will work with you to determine if IMRT is the right choice for your cancer treatment.
At Millennium Physicians, we are committed to providing the most advanced and effective treatments for our patients. Contact us today to learn more about how IMRT can help you in your cancer journey.
Optune for High Grade Glioma
Optune is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved treatment for glioblastoma (GBM). When it is turned on, it creates low-intensity, wave-like electric fields called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). TTFields interfere with GBM tumor cell division. This action slows or stops GBM tumor cells from dividing and may destroy them .
Optune treats where the GBM tumor is located and TTFields do not enter the bloodstream like a drug. So, Optune does not significantly increase chemotherapy-related side effects compared with chemotherapy alone.
If you have newly diagnosed GBM, Optune is used together with chemotherapy after surgery and radiation. If you have recurrent GBM, Optune is used alone, once treatment options like surgery and radiation have been exhausted. Continuous treatment with Optune can be received almost anywhere. If your doctor approves, you can administer Optune during your daily routine.
Partial Breast Irradiation (PBI): Faster Treatment with Reduced Radiation Exposure
When it comes to breast cancer treatment, we understand the importance of minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue. That's why at Millennium Physicians, we offer Partial Breast Irradiation (PBI) as an alternative to whole breast radiation. PBI not only reduces treatment time but also spares healthy tissue from unnecessary radiation exposure.
With PBI, we target the radiation specifically to the area of the breast where the tumor was removed, avoiding unnecessary radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach allows for a faster treatment schedule while still maintaining effectiveness in treating cancer.
Our experienced Radiation Oncologists will work closely with you to determine if Partial Breast Irradiation is the right option for your breast cancer treatment. Contact us today to learn more about PBI and how it can benefit you in your journey toward recovery.
Radiopharmaceuticals: Targeted Radiation Treatment for Disease
Radiopharmaceuticals play a crucial role in delivering targeted radiation therapy to specific organs, tissues, or cells within the human body. These radionuclide compounds are designed to have preferential uptake into bone, delivering a concentrated dose of radiation to bony metastases. They are powerful tools used for both disease diagnosis and therapy.
One example of radiopharmaceutical is Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan). Zevalin is a short-course treatment that typically spans 7 to 9 days and is administered in an outpatient setting. This regimen involves two immunotherapy agents, rituximab and ibritumomab, both of which are man-made antibodies. Unlike external radiation, Zevalin is delivered directly to specific targeted and neighboring cells in the body, affecting cells within a radius of up to 5 mm around targeted B-cells. The precision of Zevalin minimizes damage to healthy cells outside the treatment area.
Another radiopharmaceutical is Xofigo® (Radium 223), used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones and is resistant to other treatments. Xofigo® emits radiation that targets rapidly growing areas in the bones, including bone metastases. While it releases strong energy, the range of Xofigo® radiation is limited, minimizing damage to healthy cells. However, it can be absorbed by other organs, primarily the bone marrow and digestive system, potentially resulting in side effects in those tissues.
Quadramet® (Samarium 153) is an injectable radiopharmaceutical primarily used to manage bone pain associated with certain cancers. It is particularly effective in treating osteoblastic and mixed bone metastases. Quadramet® can provide relief from cancer bone pain within as early as one week of treatment.
Radiopharmaceuticals offer targeted and effective treatment options for various diseases. Our team of experienced professionals at Millennium Physicians can guide you through these innovative therapies. Contact us today to learn more about how radiopharmaceuticals can benefit your specific condition.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Precise and Potent Treatment
When it comes to treating tumors outside of the central nervous system, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) offers a highly precise and effective approach. Similar to CNS stereotactic radiosurgery, SBRT utilizes a specially designed coordinate system to precisely locate tumors within the body, allowing for limited but targeted treatment fields.
With SBRT, patients can receive a single high-dose radiation treatment or a few fractionated radiation treatments, typically up to 5 sessions. This treatment approach delivers a potent biological dose of radiation to the tumor, significantly improving cure rates compared to standard conventional radiation therapy.
One of the key advantages of SBRT is its ability to use multiple radiation beam angles, enabling expert Radiation Oncologists specializing in this technique to safely administer high doses of radiation. By utilizing sharp dose gradients, the radiation is focused primarily on the tumor, minimizing exposure to surrounding normal tissue.
At Millennium Physicians, our experienced team of Radiation Oncologists specializes in SBRT, ensuring that patients receive the most advanced and precise treatment available. Contact us today to learn more about how SBRT can provide targeted and potent radiation therapy for your specific condition.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): Precise Treatment for Tumors
When it comes to treating tumors and other conditions in various parts of the body, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) offers a highly precise and effective approach. SRS utilizes multiple focused radiation beams to target the affected area without the need for traditional surgical incisions.
With the help of advanced 3D imaging, SRS delivers high doses of radiation directly to the targeted area while minimizing impact on the surrounding healthy tissue. By damaging the DNA of the targeted cells, SRS disrupts their ability to reproduce, leading to tumor shrinkage.
For brain and spine treatments, SRS is typically completed in a single session, providing rapid and efficient care. In the case of body radiosurgery, which is used to treat tumors in the lungs, liver, adrenal glands, and other soft tissues, treatment usually involves multiple sessions (around three to five) to ensure optimal results.
At Millennium Physicians, our skilled team of specialists is experienced in performing Stereotactic Radiosurgery, ensuring that patients receive the most precise and effective treatment available. Contact us today to learn more about how SRS can provide targeted care for your specific condition.
Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) or RapidArc® Radiotherapy: Advanced and Efficient Treatment
Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT), also known as RapidArc® Radiotherapy, represents a significant advancement in Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). This innovative technique delivers a precisely-sculpted 3D dose distribution by utilizing a 360-degree rotation of the treatment machine's gantry in a single or multi-arc treatment.
Unlike conventional IMRT treatments that require multiple rotations or repeated stops and starts to treat the tumor from different angles, VMAT / RapidArc® can deliver the dose to the entire tumor in a 360-degree rotation, typically completing treatment in less than two minutes.
Powered by specialized software and an advanced linear accelerator from Varian, RapidArc® enables IMRT treatments up to eight times faster than previously possible. This breakthrough technology ensures treatment precision while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. RapidArc® consists of two key components: treatment planning and treatment delivery, serving both radiotherapy and radiosurgery patients.
Volumetric modulated arc therapy differentiates itself from existing techniques such as helical IMRT or intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) by delivering the radiation dose to the entire volume, rather than slice by slice. The treatment planning algorithm employed in RapidArc® guarantees treatment precision, effectively minimizing the dose to surrounding healthy tissue.
At Millennium Physicians, we utilize the advanced capabilities of VMAT / RapidArc® Radiotherapy to provide our patients with efficient and targeted treatment options. Contact us today to learn more about how VMAT can benefit you in your journey towards optimal health.
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT): Precision Treatment with Advanced Technology
When it comes to treating cancer, precision is of utmost importance. That's why at Millennium Physicians, we offer 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT) as an advanced treatment option. 3D CRT starts with a detailed 3D configuration of the patient's tumor and surrounding vital organs using sophisticated imaging technology.
Using this precise 3D data, our expert team generates computer images that enable us to focus radiation specifically around the tumor area. This targeted approach allows us to deliver radiation therapy with greater accuracy, minimizing the impact on adjacent healthy organs and tissues.
At Millennium Physicians, we are committed to utilizing the latest advancements in technology to provide our patients with the most effective and precise treatments available. Contact us today to learn more about how 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy can benefit your specific condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Radiation Therapy
Understanding the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a powerful treatment for cancer, but it can also have some side effects. It's important to note that most of these side effects are limited to the area being treated. Additionally, the majority of these side effects are short-term and temporary, usually starting around the second or third week of treatment and resolving within a month after completing radiation therapy.
One common short-term side effect reported by patients is fatigue. This fatigue can vary in intensity, ranging from mild to moderate, and differs for each individual. While it may affect daily activities, patients often find they can still continue with their routines. However, it's essential to listen to your body and take time to rest and relax during treatment. If you experience any discomfort or symptoms during or after treatment, don't hesitate to communicate with your radiation oncology team. They can offer strategies, prescribe medication if necessary, or suggest dietary changes to help alleviate any issues.
In terms of long-term side effects, they can occur in normal tissues within the treated area. However, advancements in radiation therapy planning and technology have significantly reduced the occurrence of serious long-term side effects. The risk of such effects depends on the specific area receiving radiation and the dose administered. It's advisable to have a discussion with your radiation oncologist to understand the potential risks associated with long-term side effects.
By being aware of both short-term and long-term side effects, you can better prepare for and manage any potential impact of radiation therapy. Our dedicated team at Millennium Physicians is here to support you throughout your treatment journey. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns or questions.
How can patients best care for themselves during radiation therapy?
Millennium Physicians is a QOPI® Certified Practice. Certification by the QOPI Certification Program (QCPTM) is an acknowledgement that this practice meets certain defined quality and safety standards in the administration of cancer care.
