For more information about Dr. Joseph Imperato and Lake Forest Hospital's Center for Advanced Radiation Oncology, go to www.lfh.org/ cancer_oncology.
Yet another advancement helping women not just beat cancer but stay cancer free. Adding ultrasound to radiation for a little boost.
Linda Byers, Breast Cancer Survivor: "It was like somebody hit me in the stomach."
The news that someone was going to cut into Linda Byers breast to remove cancer.
Linda Byers: "I saw him on a Wednesday and the following Friday I was in surgery."
A lumpectomy. After the tumor was taken out doctors wanted to radiate the breast ... first in a broad burn. Then after five weeks, a more targeted beam.
Dr. Joseph Imperato, Radiation Oncologist, Lake Forest Hospital: "At this point in the treatment we are boosting the area that is at highest risk for recurrence."
The tissue surrounding the gaping hole where the cancer used to be. Doctors used to feel the scar and estimate. Then they used CT scans.
Dr. Imperato: "That represents what I perceive to be the lumpectomy cavity based on the CT image."
Now ultrasound reconfirms the cavity and in many cases shows doctors an even smaller area for treatment.
Dr. Joseph Imperato, Lake Forest Hospital Radiation Oncologist: "That allows us to focus in even tighter. That means more healthy breast tissue can avoid extra radiation."
Dr. Imperato: "The green is where her original lumpectomy cavity was seen at the time of her initial simulation, at the time we initially set her up to prepare for treatment. This red represents where the cavity is right now."
Table placement and body changes alter the sight. Ultrasound tracks the change giving doctors more confidence.
Dr. Imperato: "We are now positioning the treatment table so that the cavity is localized in the center of the treatment field."
Linda Byers: "It's just targeting that area and I feel so much better. I'm like okay, we got it!! We've got it now."
The boost radiation is given for the final week and a half of treatment. After that patients hope for a clean bill of health.
Yet another advancement helping women not just beat cancer but stay cancer free. Adding ultrasound to radiation for a little boost.
Linda Byers, Breast Cancer Survivor: "It was like somebody hit me in the stomach."
The news that someone was going to cut into Linda Byers breast to remove cancer.
Linda Byers: "I saw him on a Wednesday and the following Friday I was in surgery."
A lumpectomy. After the tumor was taken out doctors wanted to radiate the breast ... first in a broad burn. Then after five weeks, a more targeted beam.
Dr. Joseph Imperato, Radiation Oncologist, Lake Forest Hospital: "At this point in the treatment we are boosting the area that is at highest risk for recurrence."
The tissue surrounding the gaping hole where the cancer used to be. Doctors used to feel the scar and estimate. Then they used CT scans.
Dr. Imperato: "That represents what I perceive to be the lumpectomy cavity based on the CT image."
Now ultrasound reconfirms the cavity and in many cases shows doctors an even smaller area for treatment.
Dr. Joseph Imperato, Lake Forest Hospital Radiation Oncologist: "That allows us to focus in even tighter. That means more healthy breast tissue can avoid extra radiation."
Dr. Imperato: "The green is where her original lumpectomy cavity was seen at the time of her initial simulation, at the time we initially set her up to prepare for treatment. This red represents where the cavity is right now."
Table placement and body changes alter the sight. Ultrasound tracks the change giving doctors more confidence.
Dr. Imperato: "We are now positioning the treatment table so that the cavity is localized in the center of the treatment field."
Linda Byers: "It's just targeting that area and I feel so much better. I'm like okay, we got it!! We've got it now."
The boost radiation is given for the final week and a half of treatment. After that patients hope for a clean bill of health.
