Radiation Therapy

St. Peter's Health Partners brings world-class radiation therapy services to the Capital Region. Our board-certified radiation oncologists specialize in the most advanced treatments. You get the care you need with fewer side effects, fewer radiation sessions and more time to focus on healing.

Radiation Oncology at St. Peter's Health Partners: Why Choose Us?

People throughout Albany, Troy and the surrounding communities choose us for cancer care because we offer:

• Clinical excellence: St. Peter's Hospital has been accredited by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) since 1999. This recognition speaks to our commitment to meet, and exceed, national quality standards for patient care.
• Collaborative team: Board-certified radiation oncologists work with medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and physicists to tailor treatment to your needs. Nurse navigators and social workers help you navigate the practical and emotional aspects of cancer care.
• Physics expertise: A talented team of physicists ensures accurate radiation dosing and delivery. They stay current on the newest treatment techniques while maintaining rigorous safety protocols for your well-being.
• Innovative treatments: We offer world-class care in a community setting. Our experts are skilled in the most advanced radiation therapy techniques, including stereotactic radiosurgery and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

What Is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses powerful forms of energy to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells. We may combine radiation therapy with other treatments, such as surgery or medical therapies like chemotherapy. Our specialists use radiation therapy to treat many types of cancer.

We can deliver radiation therapy as:

• External beam radiation therapy, from outside the body
• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), from inside the body

3D conformal radiation therapy

3D conformal radiation therapy is one of the most common forms of external beam radiation therapy. We use advanced imaging techniques to match the radiation beam to the exact shape of the tumor. This allows us to aim the radiation with excellent precision and minimize damage to nearby tissues.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

SBRT is ideal for cancers outside of the brain that have spread to parts of the body. This therapy delivers high doses of concentrated radiation to the tumor. SBRT typically requires fewer sessions than traditional external beam radiation therapy. We use SBRT to treat many early-stage lung cancers in the Capital Region.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

We may recommend IMRT if you have recurring cancer (cancer that comes back) in a particular area of the body. This technology allows us to adjust the dose of radiation that's delivered to the tumor, while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby structures.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)

VMAT is a highly specialized form of IMRT. This radiation treatment is exceptionally fast and accurate. It delivers precise doses of radiation from multiple angles around the body. We deliver VMAT using RapidArc™ technology for lung, urologic, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancers.

Surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT)

If you have breast cancer, we may use the AlignRT™ system to perform surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT). This technology ensures you're positioned accurately during radiation treatment to reduce damage to healthy tissue, especially the heart.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS typically requires one to five sessions. We may use it for:

• Primary brain tumors: Tumors that start in the brain
• Secondary brain tumors: Tumors that start in other parts of the body, such as the breast, before spreading to the brain

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is also known as internal radiation therapy. We place a radioactive pellet close to or inside a tumor to destroy cancer cells. Brachytherapy can typically be given in far fewer sessions than traditional external radiation therapy and may cause fewer side effects. Our specialists may recommend brachytherapy for gynecologic cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer.