169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: 607-798-5230 • Fax: 607-798-6720
Welcome
to the Lourdes Regional Cancer Center and our Radiation Oncology
Department. The Cancer Care Team at Lourdes is very aware of
the many emotions and feelings that a person encounters when
diagnosed with cancer. It is our goal to make your experience
with us as positive as possible.
Who are we?
We have a wide range of services and specialists available to
assist you. Our medical staff is board certified in their
specialties. This means they have passed very rigorous examinations
in Radiation Oncology. Our therapists and nurses are licensed by
the State of New York and many of our nurses are certified Oncology
Specialists. We have an experienced clerical staff to assist you
with scheduling your appointments or addressing any questions you
may have during the course of your treatment. Our program also
provides social workers, pastoral care staff, dietitians, and
rehabilitation specialists to assist you.
Where Do I Park?
Parking is available in Lot G. Turn into the main entrance of
the hospital at West Drive (across from Kneeland Avenue). Proceed
past the Emergency Room and DePaul Pavilion. At the stop sign, turn
right into Lot G. Follow the sidewalk to the cafeteria
entrance (behind the DePaul Pavillion). Proceed through the double
doors. The first door on your left is the Radiation Oncology
Department.
Who Do I See?
You will see our Medical Office Assistants who will help with your
health history, insurance, and other information. Our Nursing Staff
will then interview you before your visit with the Radiation
Oncologist. The Radiation Oncologist will discuss your case with
you and explain options for your care. From this discussion
you may be advised to do the following:
Have A Simulation
Using our dedicated 85 cm Bore Scanner, we will do a CT scan in
the position that you will be treated. This takes approximately 30
minutes. At this time you will be given an appointment to return
for treatment.
Then What?
Your CT scan will be sent to our Physics department where a
treatment plan will be designed specifically for you by our Medical
Dosimetry Team under the direction of the Radiation Oncologist.
When you return for the appointment you were given you will be
taken to the Linear Accelerator. Here, the Radiation
Therapists will fit this plan to your needs to assure that all
parameters match. Pictures will be taken and "tatoos" will be given
to mark the treatment area, guaranteeing that the same area is
treated every day. Your treatments will take a total of 15-20
minutes.
After Treatment, What Happens?
You will be given follow-up appointments to see the Nursing and
Physician Staffs to monitor your skin and your overall response to
treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often will I be treated?
A. Your treatment is given daily.
Q. Can I drive?
A. If you drive currently, and have not been medically advised
not to drive, you may continue to do so.
Q. Can I work?
A. Most patients work, play golf, travel, etc. There is
very little physical limitation during your radiation therapy.
Types of Radiation Therapy/Treatment Offered at Lourdes:
1. External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy is the most common radiation
therapy application. It involves high energy ionizing radiation
produced by a linear accelerator. External beam therapy is used in
the treatment of many types of malignancies. The treatment is
painless and is carried out over a period of several weeks.
2. Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a term used to describe a type of radiation
treatment where radioactive sources are implanted into the body.
These radiation sources can be removed following treatment or in
some cases, remain in the body. Radioactive implants are used to
treat a wide range of malignancies (e.g. prostate, breast, lung,
and cervical cancer.) Lourdes has the only high dose brachytherapy
program in the Greater Binghamton region.
- Prostate Seed Implants
- MammoSite
(High Dose Radiation) HDR
- HDR for gynecological tumors
- HDR for lung tumors
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Program
One common side effect of radiation therapy is damage to the
bone and tissue in the "line of fire" of the radiation beam
directed toward a tumor. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment
sometimes used to help repair the damage.
HBOT is a medical treatment that involves delivering high doses of
oxygen to the body. It is done by breathing 100% oxygen
through special head gear while inside a pressurized chamber.
The chamber at Lourdes holds up to 10 patients at a time and is the
only multi-place chamber in the region.
The pressure in the chamber causes the oxygen you breathe to be
dissolved in your blood. This extra oxygen is used by the
body in many ways. It helps to reduce swelling, control
infection and stimulate the growth of new blood
vessels.
HBOT is called an adjunctive therapy because it is to be used
along with other forms of treatment your physician has prescribed.
Adding HBOT is proven to significantly increase healing over
standard care alone.
HBOT can help treat radiation necrosis and radiation cystitis, and
it can help in the prevention of osteomyelitis in a previously
irradiated jaw for those people who require dental
procedures. Talk with your radiation oncologist for more
information about other approved conditions that HBOT can help
treat.
Most insurance companies cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
including Medicare and Medicaid. We will assist in obtaining
verification of coverage from your insurance company prior to
starting treatments.
Learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy at Lourdes.
