Treatment Options & Technology

Radiation Treatment Options & Technology

Radiation therapy is one of the most common and effective forms of cancer treatment. Radiation treatment can be delivered to the body externally, placed within the body near tumor cells, or injected into the bloodstream.

Depending on your unique situation, you may receive radiation therapy on its own or in combination with chemotherapy. Sophisticated technology and precise setups allow radiation therapy to target and kill cancer cells.

AVRTC has been providing radiation therapy services for Alaskans since 1993. Our clinics use the most up-to-date and advanced radiation treatment technologies available, and our highly trained physicians and staff provide you with compassionate care every step of the way.

Linear Accelerator Radiation Therapy

External Beam Radiation Therapy

The Linear Accelerator is an all-around cancer fighting champion that can be used to treat all parts and organs of the body.

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)

A precise radiation beam is shaped in real time rotating around the patient to achieve high doses to tumor while sparing normal adjacent tissue

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Delivers high-dose radiation to small tumor targets in areas such as the lung and prostate (in five treatments or less)

We utilize a number of cutting-edge technologies with External Beam Radiation Therapy.

HexaPOD™

A robotic couch that positions the patient for optimal radiation accuracy

XVI (On Board Imaging)

Provides personalized 2D, 3D, and 4D x-ray imaging to make targeted treatment easier and more accurate

Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC)

A respiratory device that helps patients maintain their breath during radiation treatment, often used during breast cancer treatment

Gamma Knife® Radiation Therapy

Best for the Brain

Gamma Knife® radiosurgery is a major advantage in brain tumor radiation therapy, and in Alaska only available at the Alaska Gamma Knife Center.

By utilizing precisely focused gamma rays, Gamma Knife® is able to treat diseased brain tissue while optimally sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Gamma Knife® radiosurgery is considered the gold standard in intracranial radiosurgery.

Gamma Knife® Icon – “Best for the Brain”

The Icon is the sixth and latest generation of Gamma Knife technology. It uses precise, high-dose radiation to target any part of the brain. It is available in both mask-based and frame-based treatment options for optimal comfort and precision.

High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy

Internal Radiation

HDR brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation treatment which delivers a localized dose of radiation directly to tumor areas for certain types of cancer. At AVRTC, brachytherapy is utilized in treatment of gynecologic cancers.

At AVRTC, we utilize a Zephyr HDR Couch to provide patients with optimal comfort, as well as 3D scanning prior to each treatment to maximize the accuracy of HDR brachytherapy.