Pediatric Cancers
Our Radiation Oncology department works in conjunction with the Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics, the Division of Pediatric Oncology at the Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Weill Cornell Cancer Center, the Komansky Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. These centers are all part of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and we work together to provide children with the most comprehensive multidisciplinary management of cancer available.
We treat all types of pediatric cancers including tumors of the brain and spine, kidney/Wilms tumors, neuroblastomas, lymphomas (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's), leukemias, rhabdomyosarcomas, Ewing's sarcomas, osteosarcomas, as well as other more rare pediatric tumors. All possible measures are taken to ensure patients and their families are as comfortable as possible while under our care.
We also treat benign conditions such as arterial-venous-malformations (AVM's) and heart transplant rejection.
Specialized Services
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
IMRT treatment techniques are used for many of our patients. This sophisticated, computer controlled method allows the intensity of the treatment beam to be varied or modulated to closely match the dose with the area to be treated. IMRT allows the dose to be concentrated in the diseased tissue and minimized in the healthy tissue.
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT)
3D-CRT techniques are also frequently used to assure that all the parts of each tumor is completely treated in all 3 dimensions. It combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver very precise doses of radiation while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.
Linear Accelerator Based Brain Radiosurgery
NewYork-Presbyterian also offers linear accelerator based stereotactic radiosurgery. This highly accurate form of treatment is ideal for the treatment of certain types of tumors. This method uses either a single session treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery or multiple treatment sessions called fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, which each offering advantages for appropriately selected patients.
Both stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy are non-invasive treatments that use pencil-thin beams of radiation generated by a special linear accelerator to treat brain abnormalities safely, effectively, and without any incisions. There is little or no discomfort during the actual treatments and it can be performed on an outpatient basis without many of the usual risks associated with surgery. Our expert radiation oncologists use sophisticated 3-dimensional computer-generated treatment plans that allow the radiation dose to be concentrated on the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Our treatment team is staffed by experts with highly specialized knowledge and skills in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, radiation therapy and radiation physics. Supported by many years of research and successful treatment of patients, the stereotactic program applies the latest technological advances in neurosurgical and radiation therapy principles to provide patients with the most advanced and skilled treatment available.
Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery
Cancers of the spinal cord or other body organs can be effectively treated using a linear accelerator-based technology called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). A sophisticated stereotactic body frame is used during imaging studies to precisely map each child's internal anatomy in 3 dimensions relative to the frame. Later, the frame allows us to very accurately aim a radiation beam at the area to be treated. A highly sophisticated computerized radiosurgery program is used to direct multiple pencil-like radiation beams to converge precisely on the target area. The added precision of this system allows higher tumor doses and less radiation to the surrounding normal tissue.
Total Body Irradiation (TBI)
We perform TBI as part of the bone marrow transplant process. A high-energy x-ray beam under exacting geometrical alignment, radiates the patient's entire body to suppress their bone marrow allowing for the later transplant of healthy marrow.
Research
We collaborate with our medical and surgical oncology practices on research projects that are evaluating the newest emerging treatments. Together, we participate in many national collaborative trials.