The phrase “going under the knife” doesn’t necessarily apply to radiosurgery. Although it is considered a type of surgery for patients with cancer, radiosurgery performed at Regional Cancer Care Associates doesn’t use a scalpel or sutures. Instead, the patient’s tumor is attacked from the outside of the body using high-dose, precision-focused radiation beams.
Radiosurgery is typically an outpatient procedure. Patients come in, receive the treatment and are usually able to walk out and continue normal activities soon after. Depending on the type and location of the patient’s cancer, radiosurgery can be performed in as little as one session.
During treatment, radiation beams are targeted to the area where the tumor is located and attack it from all sides. Because of this, the process is extremely accurate, although surrounding tissue may receive minimal damage. Most patients usually only report mild side effects, such as fatigue or swelling.
While all radiosurgery procedures are similar, there are three different types.
Radiosurgery can be used for a variety of different tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous. If you have any of the following types of cancer, your doctor may recommend radiosurgery:
Researchers are also working to determine if radiosurgery, which is also commonly referred to as stereotactic radiosurgery, can be effective for other types of cancer, too. If you’re curious about radiosurgery and its potential for you or a loved one, be sure to consult with your doctor.
RCCA is dedicated to offering the best cancer treatment options to their patients. From experienced oncologists to breakthrough technologies like radiosurgery, patients with cancer can receive advanced, personalized treatment. For more information, contact RCCA today to schedule an appointment at your local office.
With care centers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts and the Washington, D.C., area, thousands of patients each year have come to rely on the expertise, dedication and compassion of Regional Cancer Care Associates.
More than 80 medical oncologists and hematologists affiliated with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) – one of the nation’s largest networks of oncology specialists — are on the frontlines of the fight against cancer in New Jersey, providing care to well over 100,000 people each year in 19 community-based practices across the Garden State.
The American Cancer Society will host its 43rd annual Diamond Ball Gala on November 24, 2024, at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
