Treatment Options for Gastrointestinal
Cancers at Staten Island Radiation Oncology

Gastrointestinal cancers are a group of cancers that affect the digestive system.  The organs involved are the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum.  Tumors in these areas are treated by radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.  In many cases it is a combination of all three treatments that is the most effective. At Staten Island Radiation Oncology we use Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, (IMRT) and RapidArc Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) to provide radiation therapy to our patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

IMRT is a highly advanced form of radiotherapy utilizing computer controlled x-rays to kill cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy.  This highly individualized therapy allows our physicians to ensure that the radiation is placed exactly where it’s needed and not on the surrounding healthy cells.

RapidArc Volumetric Arc Therapy, (VMAT) is a new technology and Staten Island Radiation Oncology is one of the first centers in the country to employ it.  VMAT is a major advance in radiation therapy.  VMAT delivers highly precise treatment much faster than other technologies.  Treatments that once took 15-30 minutes can sometimes be accomplished in as little as a single rotation of the machine around the patient which takes about 2 minutes.  The positive result for the patient is a faster treatment time and the most precise radiation targeting in existence.  At Staten Island Radiation Oncology, we use the best, most technologically advanced equipment available to treat our patients because we pride ourselves on providing the best possible care.