Radiation Oncology | Oncology | Medical Center

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Radiation Oncology

CENTRAL MARYLAND RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Central Maryland Radiation Oncology offers the advanced radiation therapies usually only available through a large university cancer center, with the convenience of a local community practice. We are affiliated with the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center (UMGCC) and Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), a partnership that sets us apart from other community-based radiation oncology centers. Our patients benefit from all of the resources and expertise of UMGCC and JHM, while staying right here in Howard County. We are scheduled to open in our new location in the MPHC in early 2010.

Our Services - Our center offers patients with all types and stages of cancer both traditional radiation oncology services, and new cutting-edge therapies such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and prostate brachytherapy. Services include:

Traditional radiation therapy
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Image Guidance Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy
Prostate Seed Implants
Access to clinical trials
Genetic Counseling

Telemedicine Technology - Our physicians work closely with cancer experts at UMGCC's downtown Baltimore campus and Johns Hopkins Medicine Baltimore campus. Using the latest teleconferencing technology, our physicians review patient cases weekly with UMGCC and or JHM oncology specialists to evaluate and consider all treatment options available at CMRO, as well as at UMGCC or JHM. In this way, we offer patients the best, most comprehensive cancer care possible.

Clinical Trials - Access to clinical trials is an important advantage of receiving your radiation therapy at Central Maryland Radiation Oncology. We offer patients access to many of the 125 clinical trials currently being conducted at UMGCC. In this way, our patients may be eligible for new treatments not yet commercially available elsewhere. Our staff research associate coordinates clinical trial participation for those patients who are interested.

Support Services - Also offer a variety of support services, such as genetic counseling, to help patients through their cancer care. Genetic counseling consultations are provided free of charge.

For more information, contact:
Takina Murphy
Business Manager
(410) 740-9300 x231
Email: tmurphy1@umm.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy?
A. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a newer form of radiation therapy. The intensity of the radiation in IMRT can be changed during treatment to spare more adjoining normal tissue than is spared during conventional radiation therapy. Because of this an increased dose of radiation can be delivered to the tumor using IMRT. Intensity modulated radiation therapy is a type of conformal radiation, which shapes radiation beams to closely approximate the shape of the tumor. Side effects with IMRT are the same as those of conventional radiation therapy, but tend to occur less frequently and with less intensity in the short and long term.

Q. What is prostate brachytherapy?
A. Prostate brachytherapy is also known as prostate seed implants. It’s a method of treating prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate gland. Doctors use ultrasound image guidance to place radioactive seeds into the prostate via needles inserted through the perineum (skin just behind the scrotum). Brachytherapy has increased in popularity over recent years due to its effectiveness and relative convenience. Seed implantation is also an attractive option for men whose age or other health conditions mean surgery is not an option, or who may be unable to undergo 8 weeks of daily treatments for external beam radiation therapy.

For more information on the many aspects of Radiation Oncology, please visit the American Society of Raditation Oncology (ASTRO) patient page. (link to http://www.rtanswers.org/ )

At the Medical Pavilion of Howard County we offer service to Maryland residents in Howard County including but not limited Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Jessup, North Laurel, Savage, Guilford, Clarksville, Cooksville, Daniels, Dayton, Dorsey, Fulton, Glenelg, Glenwood, Granite, Hanover, Henryton Highland, Ilchester, Lisbon, Marriottsville, Scaggsville, Simpsonville, Sykesville, West Friendship, Woodbine, Woodstock, and surrounding counties.