Nuclear Oncology

Posts Tagged ‘EBT’

What is radioembolization

Radioembolization is a combination of radiation and a procedure called embolization to treat liver cancer.

Embolization is a minimally invasive treatment in which blood vessel malformation in the blood vessels are occluded or blocked to prevent the flow of blood.

Radiotherapy is the use of a certain type of energy called ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Unlike external beam therapy (EBT), in which beams of high energy X-rays generated by a machine are directed at the tumor from outside the body, radioembolization involves placing radioactive material directly into the body. This form of treatment is called internal radiation therapy.

In radioembolization, tiny pellets of glass or resin microspheres calls are placed inside the blood vessels feeding the tumor to block the blood supply to cancer cells. Once these microspheres, which are filled with the radioactive isotope Yttrium Y-90, staying at the tumor site deliver a high dose of radiation. Read the rest of this entry »

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, prevalent mostly in men over 65 years of age and is fairly common among men aged 50 to 64 years. However, prostate cancer can occur in men under 50 years of age. The incidence of prostate cancer diagnosed in men in the United States has increased dramatically since 1990 due to the use of a blood test called prostate specific antigen (PSA). More recently, men under 65 years of age have shown a higher incidence of this disease.

Overview of treatment options

There are several options for treating a cancer that is confined to the prostate. Each option should be carefully considered, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages according to age, general health and personal preferences of each man.

Options historical standards include:

* Surgery (radical prostatectomy): An incision in the lower abdomen or through the perineum (between anus and scrotum), and removing the prostate. Surgery incomplete, in which the entire tumor can not be removed, can be followed by radiotherapy. After the procedure requires the patient to maintain a urinary catheter placed for several weeks. Possible side effects of surgery can include incontinence (inability to control urination) and impotence (inability to achieve erection). More recently, several institutions are using three small incisions to perform robot-assisted prostatectomy, resulting in shorter hospitalization and faster recovery. This may be preferable in selected patients, but not all. Read the rest of this entry »