Stereotactic radiosurgery in Maryland at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore - Department of Radiation Oncology

Janet D Conway, M.D. Rubin Inst. for Advanced Ortho , Orthopedic Surgery ( Bone Doctor), Board Certified

Mark A Goldstein, M.D. , Internal Medicine, Board Certified

Sinai Department of Radiation Oncology

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Sinai Department of Radiation Oncology

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The Departments of Radiation Oncology at Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital both provide cutting-edge technology for malignant and benign diseases. The departments provide customized external beam irradiation with pinpoint precision to a large variety of malignancies in both pediatric and adult populations.

In 2003, Sinai became the only hospital in Maryland to provide stereotactic radiosurgery using the revolutionary CyberKnife�. This unique combination of state-of-the-art linear accelerator, diagnostic imaging and robotics employs cruise missile technology to non-invasively treat tumors of the brain, spine, lung, abdomen and other previously inoperable locations. The CyberKnife� can also treat benign lesions and functional disorders, including meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, neurofibromas and trigeminal neuralgia.

Patients have access to numerous clinical trials, and the departments continuously work to improve all aspects of cancer detection and care. The departments work closely with the Divisions of Medical Oncology and Surgical Oncology to provide a multidisciplinary team approach, which is essential for good cancer care. An attentive staff gives special attention to one-on-one interaction with patients, believing this interaction is the most important aspect of clinical care.

Many of the treatment modalities we offer are available only in select medical facilities. Here are some of the technologies we are utilizing at the Departments of Radiation Oncology to provide the absolute best in patient care: Sinai Hospital�s Department of Radiation Oncology provides the absolute best in patient care

Two Varian High-Energy Linear Accelerators, including multi-leaf collimation, which delivers external beam radiation (X-rays) to a tumor�s exact location to reduce the damage to surrounding tissue. Advanced computer software monitors and records patient setup procedures and treatment delivery to ensure greater accuracy and quicker setup.
CMS Three-Dimensional Conformal Treatment Planning, which uses computer simulation to produce an accurate image of the tumor and surrounding organs. Multiple radiation beams can be shaped exactly to the contour of the desired treatment volume.
CyberKnife� Stereotactic Radiosurgery, which is currently the only technology that performs continuous image-guided radiosurgery throughout treatment and is approved by the FDA for radiosurgery of all body locations. CyberKnife� radiosurgery is a frameless, non-invasive alternative to surgery for previously inoperable tumors or lesions that is capable of sub-millimeter targeting accuracy using highly focused beams of radiation. Cutting -edge computer-based treatment planning, called inverse planning, determines the best combination of up to 1,000 individual beams of radiation to carve out� high doses around the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.
Brachytherapy, which uses small radioactive sources to deliver the radiation dose with temporary or permanent implants. Sinai performs a number of types of brachytherapy, mainly on an outpatient basis.
- Prostate Seed Implant: Small radioactive seeds are permanently placed in the prostate gland for the treatment of prostate cancer.
- Gynecologic Implants: Temporary implants are used for the treatment of a wide variety of gynecologic cancers.
- Nucletron Remote High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: Requiring only a few minutes each day, a small but strong radioactive pellet is used for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, lung cancers and soft tissue sarcomas. The computer sends the radioactive source through a catheter that has been placed near or in the tumor by the physician.
- Novoste Intravascular Brachytherapy (IVBT): Another treatment modality taking only minutes to perform, IVBT is used for the treatment of in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.