Radiation Oncology
Leading the Way in Cancer Care
The Albany Med Health System's accredited radiation oncology is a leader in state-of-the-art technology and treatment methods for adults and children. We work collaboratively with radiation oncologists, nursing specialists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and supportive care professionals.
Radiation therapy uses high-dose radiation to shrink tumors by destroying cancer cells. It may be used alone or with chemotherapy and surgery. Our individualized approach enables us to limit side effects, improve outcomes, and enhance overall quality of life.
Care Throughout the Capital Region
Radiation oncology services are available at Albany Medical Center, the C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital, and at Saratoga Hospital's Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center.
Please see the list of physicians and locations in the Get Care section of this page for more information.
Accreditation You Can Count On
The Radiation Oncology programs at Albany Medical Center, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital are ACRO accredited. This means our facilities have voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to be successful in the day-to-day practice of radiation oncology. Our equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and our facilities meet or exceed quality assurance and safety guidelines.
- Anal Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Benign Tumors
- Brain Tumors
- Brain Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Colon and Rectal Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Mediastinal Tumors
- Melanoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Pediatric Cancer
- Penile Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Sarcoma and Other Soft Tissue Tumors
- Skin Cancer
- Spinal tumors
- Stomach Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Thymus Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Urethral Cancer
- Uterine and Endometrial Cancer
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
- Linear Accelerator: Linac based radiation therapy utilizing (VMAT) Volumetric Arc Therapy, (IMRT) Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, and Conformal Beam treatments.
- Advanced Technology: Image Guidance Radiation Therapy (IGRT), 4D Organ Motion Management, and Surface Guidance (SGRT), to precisely locate area of treatment and position the patient.
- External Beam Radiation: This therapy directs high-energy rays from outside the body to the targeted area or tumor.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgey (SRS): Extremely precise technique that allows for the delivery of a highly concentrated dose of radiation in 1-5 treatments to the head.
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Utilization of special equipment to position a patient in order to deliver a very high dose of radiation to tumors in 1-5 treatments. SBRT technique is often used for lung and liver tumors, and in patients who cannot have surgery.
- Systemic Radiation: Systemic radiation uses radioactive drugs that can be delivered orally or intravenously to treat certain types of cancer.
- Pediatric Radiation Oncology: Radiation oncology services for children, with full pediatric anesthesia are available.
- Radioembolization (Y90): Y90 refers to the radioactive isotope yttrium90, which is inserted into tiny particles and used to deliver radiation directly to tumors via long, thin tubes called catheters.
- Gamma Tile: Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) is a radiation treatment specifically designed for use inside the brain.
- Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Successful radiation therapy is dependent on the ability to deliver substantially more dose to a tumor than surrounding healthy tissue. Image-Guided Radiation Therapy improves dose delivery and allows for superior localization of a tumor relative to healthy tissues.
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Volume-Modulated Radiation Therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): Radiotherapy requires delivering the greatest dose possible to a tumor while sparing normal tissues. IMRT, VMAT and SRS are radically new methods of x-ray therapy that are successful at increasing tumor dose while reducing side effects.
- Brachytherapy: Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy in which small radioactive sources are placed directly into or near a tumor. Our radiation oncology department has an active brachytherapy service. High-dose-rate brachytherapy, offered at Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital, has given breast cancer patients an alternative to external beam therapy and has greatly improved the implant treatment of endometrial cancer and cervical cancer.
- CT Simulator: High-speed multi-slice CT simulator can return high-resolution imaging with great speed and accuracy.
First Visit
The first appointment is usually a two-to-three hour consultation with a radiation oncologist and nurses to discuss the best treatment options available for you.
All of your information, including office notes, imaging results, and lab results will be collected from your referring provider.
What to bring to your first appointment
- Photo ID
- Insurance information
- List of medications
- Parking ticket for validation
You are encouraged to bring a loved one with you to take notes and listen during your appointment, as there will be a lot of information discussed.
If you need translation services or interpretation for the hearing impaired let us know and we will be prepared with face-to-face translator services through our secure Ipad.
CT Simulation
After the consultation, Computed Tomography (CT) Simulation will be done by a radiation therapist to plan your radiation treatments. Marks will be placed on the skin to mark the area for daily setup once treatment begins.
Treatment Planning
Using sophisticated treatment planning software, the radiation oncologist and physics team will create a unique plan based on the size and shape of the targeted area. The doctor bases the treatment course on several factors and may lengthen or shorten a course at any time. The treatment course could range from one day to eight weeks.
During Treatment
Your treatments will be performed by a licensed radiation therapist. On average, the treatment will take about 10-15 minutes daily, except for Stereoteactic Body and Stereotactic Cranial treatments, which take about 45 minutes daily.
During your course of therapy, you will meet weekly with your doctor and nurses.
Side effects include fatigue, redness, itching, dryness, darkening of skin, loss of appetite, and soreness. These are temporary in most cases.
CT Simulation: One CT Simulation vault that encompasses a Philips Big Bore CT. This CT scanner enables the team to perform the patient’s CT Simulation, fabricate necessary immobilization devices, as well as utilize the wide 85cm bore to properly position the patient for treatment.
Treatment Machines: Two treatment vaults that house the Varian 21ix™ and TrueBeam™ systems. These fully integrated radiation therapy systems deliver unmatched precise, high-dose radiation therapy. They are used to deliver all forms of external-beam radiation therapy, including 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-Comformal), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Stereotactic Cranial Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), as well as the ability to perform Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), utilizing the advanced imaging hardware combined with state-of-the-art software.
