Radiation Therapy

Houston Methodist’s radiation oncologists transformed head and neck cancer treatment by becoming the world’s first health care provider to offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT allows surgeons to more precisely pinpoint tumors. 

Since then, we’ve continued to refine and deliver the most innovative and precise primary and subsequent brain tumor radiation therapies — even in tumors once considered inoperable. Our techniques use high-energy beams (X-rays or gamma rays) to kill cancer cells and shrink brain tumors, while reducing radiation exposure and sparing healthy tissue.

Advanced Radiation Therapy Techniques

• TrueBeam – Powerful, accurate and fast image-guided treatments
• Novalis®  – Image-guided system that precisely forms a radiation beam around a tumor while protecting the healthy tissue. Treatment is delivered in as little as 15 to 20 minutes for a more comfortable treatment experience.
• TomoTherapy – Confirms a patient's tumor before treatment and delivers precise radiation therapy
• Varian Clinac 21EX – Accurate, full-dose ranges for intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy
• Phillips CT simulator – Precise and flexible scanning and dosing delivery
• Varian high dose rate (HDR) afterloader –  Computer-based management system allowing for proper placement, replacement and dosing 
  
  

Novalis® Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors

Novalis® radiosurgery delivers a non-invasive, focused radiation to treat cancerous and noncancerous conditions of the entire body with one-of-a-kind shaped-beam technology.

It uses focused beams of radiation — directed to the precise shape and location of the tumor — to shrink and eliminate the cancer while safely passing through healthy brain tissue.  Patients formerly thought to be terminal with inoperable tumors can now be safely and effectively treated. Having this technique available often converts a situation with limited life expectancy to one of long-term survival.
 

Internal Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumors

Internal radiation therapy (sometimes called implant radiation therapy or brachytherapy) can also be used to treat brain tumors, although it is not often required. With internal radiation therapy, small “seeds” holding radioactive material are implanted in the brain to deliver radiation for a set amount of time. The seeds usually do not need to be removed after the radiation therapy is complete.

A pituitary tumor pressed against Belinda’s optic nerve, causing vision loss. Houston Methodist neurosurgeons used advanced nonsurgical endoscopy and radiation to remove it.