Physicians often use radiation therapy before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to prevent any remaining cancer cells from growing.
Our physicians are pioneering the CyberKnife®, a revolutionary form of radiosurgery that destroys even inoperable tumors anywhere in the body with pinpoint accuracy. These powerful, precise radiation beams are used to treat tumors of the brain, spine, neck, lung, liver, prostate and pancreas, among others.
We also offer other technologically advanced radiation equipment, including sophisticated, high-energy linear accelerators that target cancerous areas while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The center is participating in a series of leading-edge clinical trials to identify how new combinations of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may increase survival.
Our treatment programs include:
Brain Cancer
We offer a comprehensive neuro-oncology program using the latest technologies in radiation therapy, chemotherapy and neurosurgery for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, medical oncology, medical physics, radiation oncology, pathology and psychiatry. We use stereotactic radiosurgery, 3-D conformal radiotherapy, PET-CT, MRI and image-guided surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer.
Breast Cancer
The expert clinicians in our multidisciplinary program, including radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, provide advanced and compassionate care in the treatment of breast cancer. Learn more about the Women’s Center for Breast Health.
Head and Neck Cancer
Treatment options for head and neck cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, either alone or combined. Tumor size, and whether cancer cells have spread, determine what treatments are needed, although patients with early-form disease are often successfully treated with surgery or radiation alone.
We offer head and neck cancer patients two powerful forms of radiation: intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. Both utilize a 3-D, computerized system that allows doctors to precisely attack all parts of irregularly shaped tumors from multiple angles, without harming nearby healthy tissue. Patient benefits include higher, more direct radiation doses and fewer side effects. Each outpatient radiation session takes about 15 minutes.
Prostate Cancer
At Yale-New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus, we use radioactive seed implantation, external beam radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to treat prostate cancer.
Thoracic Cancer
We are a leader in the care and treatment of thoracic diseases including lung cancer; and our expert physicians and staff treat a wide range of thoracic malignancies, including esophogeal cancer and chest diseases. Learn more.
Follow-up Care
When your treatment is complete, your radiation oncologist will discuss plans for follow-up appointments in the center as well as with your primary care physician. All physicians involved in your care, including your primary care and referring physicians, will be kept fully informed of your initial assessment, treatment course and follow-up care.
Our staff will continue to be available once your care has been completed.