Panhandle Cancer Care Center

Cancer may be the biggest challenge you face in life, and at Panhandle Cancer Care Center, we will be with you every step of the way. You will be treated with the utmost respect by an experienced, compassionate team led by a board-certified radiation oncologist - James Stafford, M.D. - in a caring, comfortable environment.

Radiation Simulation

Radiation simulation is a treatment planning process that enables us to accurately map out your radiation treatment that will prove to be most beneficial for you.

CT, MRI or PET scan information can be used individually or fused together in a series of images to be used to customize your treatment plan.

Patient simulation generally takes one hour initially, allowing the therapists to use specialized immobilization devices to keep the body in a desired position. Once the planning scan is complete, the therapists will mark the targeted area in ink for documentation purposes and to assist with reproducibility of the treatment position. Permanent tattoo marks (dots) are given during the initial simulation to provide a permanent reference for treatment.

Dr. Stafford will use the information collected from the simulation and other data to plan your treatment. Generally, radiation therapy will begin one week following your simulation.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy has the ability to deliver controlled, high-energy dosages of radiation to targeted cancer cells leaving most normal cells alone. This controlled delivery will help minimize side effects.

Dr. Stafford will work with you individually to develop a personalized treatment plan, which will begin with a number of tests, such as CT scans, MRI's, PET scans and ultrasounds. The images collected through these tests will help your oncologist determine the treatment area, dosage and frequency of treatments.

Treatments are usually required daily for two to eight weeks. Each session takes about 15-20 minutes. Treatments may be delivered in three ways:

  • External Beam Radiation Therapy, which uses a machine outside the body to deliver the radiation.
  • Internal Radiation Therapy (or Bracytherapy), which delivers radioactive material inside the body near the cancer cells.
  • Systemic Radiation Therapy, which uses an oral medication or an injection to deliver the radioactive substance.

For more information, please visit the Panhandle Cancer Care Center website.