Teletherapy (external radiation)

External beam treatment, or teletherapy, is delivered by one of three linear accelerators. Each of these machines has the capability of treatment with high and low energy photons and superficial electrons depending on the depth of the target tumor.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

IMRT is another specialized, complex, method of delivering high dose radiation therapy precisely to a target volume while sparing nearby sensitive and critical structures using beams of many different shapes and angles determined with the assistance of computer programs.

Prostate Brachytherapy (seed implants)

Permanent radioactive prostate seed implants may be employed to treat certain prostate cancers. The radiation oncologist and urologist are both involved with this procedure and carefully plan for the placement of these radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland under ultrasound guidance and computerized dose determination.

Brachytherapy (internal radiation)

Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, utilizes radioactive seeds, needles, or pellets to treat certain types of cancer. These radioactive sources are placed directly into the tissues or body cavities. High and low dose rate implants are both available through our practice.

MammoSite®

Accelerated partial breast irradiation is a method of treating selected early breast cancers following surgical excision. Special balloon catheters are placed in the surgical cavity and radiation is given through this catheter to the lumpectomy.

3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy

Three dimensional (3-D) conformal radiation therapy is available for selected patients receiving external beam radiation therapy through our practice. This procedure involves using CT scans and computerized software to more accurately target tumors while better sparing healthy tissue.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

This combined radiation oncology and neurosurgical procedure allows precise, non-invasive treatment of certain brain tumors without the need for hospitalization. It is a highly technical procedure, with Asheville one of only a select number of sites in the state which offers this procedure.

Cyberknife Stereotactic Radiosurgery

The CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive, 100% frameless image-guided radiosurgery system that allows for non-surgical treatment of inoperable brain and spine tumors as well as certain other tumors in other parts of the body. Mission Hospital is the first site in North Carolina and remains the only site in WNC to offer this treatment.