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Radiation
Oncology
Loyola Outpatient Center
What services are offered?
The Department of Radiation Oncology provides
management of diverse forms of cancer through various
treatment modalities including Three-dimensional Conformal
Radiotherapy (3DCRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation
Therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic
radiotherapy, brachytherapy, ultrasound-guided transperineal
prostate implant, total body irradiation, total skin
electrons threaDV and endovascular radiotherapy. For
a more detailed description of the treatment modalities,
log onto the intranet (www.luhs.org/internal), click
the Departments link, scroll down to Radiation Oncology
then click the Department of Radiation Oncology link
at the bottom of the page. The treatment descriptions
are under the Special Programs link.
What technology/equipment is available?
The building houses three linear accelerators and
the Novalis® system. The Novalis system allows
physicians to treat brain tumors within a two-millimeter
accuracy range and perform non-invasive brain and
base-of-skull surgery. Presently, less than 40 such
systems exist in the country and LUHS was the first
center within a 150-mile radius to have one. "The
Novalis system is the most sophisticated machine of
its kind and enables us to remain on the leading-edge
of technology and patient care," said Bahman
Emami, M.D., professor and chair, Department of
Radiation Oncology.
The department uses the most advanced radiation treatment
planning software that allows the physician to plan
the treatment then transfer it directly to the treatment
delivery equipment for administration.
This location also features separate, dedicated suites
for brachytherapy, high dose rate radiation, stereotactic
radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy.
How is this location benefiting patients?
Most importantly, patients receive treatment at one
location as opposed to traveling to other areas on
or off the medical center campus where some of the
equipment currently is located. "For example, our
stereotatic patients formerly were transferred between
the Burke Pavilion and the Hines VA Hospital because
the necessary treatment equipment is in both places,"
explained Emami. "This resulted in a very long and
uncomfortable day. With this clinic, patients
come to one location to receive the highest quality
of care using the most advanced equipment."
Being located in the same building as many of the
other outpatient programs also is an advantage. "It
is easier for physicians to consult with one another
on a patient's case, which results in more effective
patient care," said Emami.
The department is located on the garden level of
the building and features a large waiting area that
faces a wall of windows that looks out onto the healing
garden. "Overall, the area is much brighter, more
open and spacious than our previous location," said
Debra Arendziak, director of administration, Department
of Radiation Oncology. "The increase in size also
provides an increase in job satisfaction and improved
morale among the physicians and employees because
they have adequately sized work areas and better equipment."
The department's location also offers a separate entrance
for patient privacy and an additional entrance area
for ambulances.
What differentiates this program from
others in the area that provides the same type of services?
Many of the physicians and physicists in the
department are nationally and internationally known
for their work. "The combination of these two along
with the dedication and patience of the physicians and
staff guarantees the delivery of the best care to the
patient," said Emami.
In addition to physician visits and
treatment delivery, are there any other services the
department offers?
The space was designed to include formal orientation
and patient education rooms. These areas are equipped
with advanced audio and visual systems to provide patients
with clear and precise information about the type of
treatment he is to receive. These areas also are used
for physician consultations with patients and their
families. "This is perhaps one of the most important
aspects of patient care," said Emami.
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