OSF Cancer Center

Learning you or someone close to you has cancer can be a scary and overwhelming time.

The team at the OSF Cancer Center at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois, works together and is by your side throughout your journey – from diagnosis through treatment to survivorship.

From highly specialized treatments and technology tosurvivorship programsandrehabilitation,we're here to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our programs and services are wrapped around you in an environment that fosters compassion, care and concern for your total well-being.

While we have access to the expertise of the cancer services team atOSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria,your care will be provided right here in Bloomington, keeping you close to home.

Services

Available Treatment Options

• Radiation oncology - Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to target the cancer tissue while neighboring tissue is minimally affected. The OSF Cancer Center features the latest in technology:
  • 4D CT simulation - an imaging technique that provides information on organ motion during respiration. It gives a more accurate assessment of target shape and trajectory and similar information on organs at risk.
  • External beam radiation therapy - a linear accelerator that produces high-energy X-rays
  • Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) - Varian True Beam Linear Accelerator uses 3D technology for precise radiation therapy
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - an advanced form of radiation that provides 3D conformal treatment customized to the tumor and organ structures resulting in fewer side effects and toxicities and more radiation directly to the intended site
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) - delivers a high dose of radiation to a small tumor target within the body. These precise treatments are typically delivered in three to five sessions.
  • Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) - delivers a high dose of radiation to a small, focused area in the brain. Treatments are delivered in three to five sessions.
  • Identify - skin surface monitoring system that confirms patient identification and monitors patient movement during treatment to provide increased accuracy of radiation beam

Radiation Therapy

Your doctor will determine your radiation therapy plan, which may include details such as the dose of radiation to be delivered, the appropriate angles from which to deliver the radiation, the number of sessions, possible side effects associated with your treatment and follow-up care after treatment is completed.

What You Can Expect

• Ourstate-of-the-art TrueBeam Systemby Varian Medical Systems, Inc. conforms the radiation beam to the exact size and shape of the tumor, which allows for more precise treatment of the affected area and reduces the amount of radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue.
• It is designed to allow high-speed treatments. This helps to minimize treatment time and reduces the risk of patient movement during the treatment, increasing the patient's safety.
• The machine is smooth and quiet with soft lighting, providing a soothing, calming atmosphere to receive your radiation treatment.

Other Things to Expect

• Before each day's treatment, you may be asked to change into a gown.
• You'll be assisted in getting into position on a wide treatment couch that moves through the machine for simultaneous imaging and treatment.
• A two-way intercom and a couch-mounted camera allow you and your therapist to communicate throughout your treatment session.
• If a face mask, mold or other device was created for use during your treatment, it will be placed on you or under you. The couch will be adjusted, so the laser light shines on the mark on your skin.
• While you are on the couch, a scan will be taken immediately before treatment to ensure you are properly aligned for treatment.
• 请联low 20 minutes for your daily radiation treatments. This will include the time you enter the unit for treatment until you exit the unit after your radiation treatment.
• You will see the nurse and physician weekly on an assigned day, immediately after your treatment on the unit, so please plan for additional time for this appointment.
• Please let the radiation therapist know you would like to talk with the nurse when you come for daily treatment.

How Treatment is Delivered

The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator. Most linear accelerators have a gantry, which is the part out of which the radiation beam extends.

The gantry can be rotated around to allow radiation to be delivered to the tumor from any angle as the treatment couch moves.

During treatment, the gantry will move around you to deliver the radiation. The radiation beam is not visible, so you will not see it.

Post-Treatment and Follow-Ups

After completing treatment, your first checkup typically is between one and three months, with subsequent checkups scheduled at six-month intervals. This may vary, depending on your situation.

我们的放射肿瘤学家

Kyle Stang, MD

Contact Us

To contact the OSF Cancer Center, please call(309) 684-9100.