Clear, honest answers to help you understand your treatment options. If you don't see your question here, our clinical team is ready to help.
Adaptive radiotherapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment where the treatment plan is adjusted (adapted) while the patient is on the treatment table. By taking daily imaging, we can see exactly where the tumor and healthy organs are that day, and recalculate the radiation delivery to account for those changes.
In conventional radiation, a single plan is created at the beginning and used for all 20 to 45 sessions, regardless of how the tumor shrinks or internal organs shift. Adaptive radiotherapy creates a new, customized plan for every single session based on real-time anatomy.
Because we have absolute certainty about the tumor's location each day, we can safely deliver a much higher dose of radiation per session without damaging nearby healthy tissue. This 'hypofractionation' allows us to complete a full course of treatment in typically 5 sessions instead of the traditional 20-45.
The total biological dose is comparable to conventional treatment, but it is delivered in fewer, larger 'fractions' (sessions). The key is precision—the high dose is tightly sculpted to the tumor.
'Online' adaptation happens while you are on the treatment table. We image you, re-plan, and treat within the same session. 'Offline' adaptation means we review images between sessions and adjust the plan for your next visit. We primarily use online adaptation for maximum precision.
All radiation therapy carries some risk of side effects, which vary based on the area being treated. However, clinical trials have shown that the extreme precision of adaptive radiotherapy can significantly reduce damage to healthy tissue, often resulting in fewer and less severe side effects compared to older methods.
An online adaptive session typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. This is longer than a standard 10-minute radiation session because we are actively imaging and running complex calculations to adapt your plan while you are on the table.
Adaptive radiotherapy is covered by Medicare and most major private insurers for approved indications (such as prostate, lung, and liver cancers). Our financial counselors will work with your insurance provider to verify coverage before treatment begins.
That depends entirely on your specific diagnosis. Adaptive radiotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment, or it may be part of a broader plan that includes surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Your oncology team will recommend the best approach.
No. The radiation delivery itself is completely painless and invisible, much like getting a standard X-ray or CT scan. You will not feel anything during the treatment session.
No. The type of external beam radiation we use does not make your body radioactive. You are perfectly safe to be around family, friends, and children immediately after your session.
It is highly effective for tumors in the abdomen and pelvis (like prostate, pancreas, and liver) where daily organ shifting is common. It is also excellent for lung tumors, brain metastases, and oligometastatic disease.
Once you have your initial consultation and simulation (imaging) appointment, we typically begin treatment within one to two weeks, depending on the complexity of your plan and insurance approval timelines.
While many patients are referred by their urologist, pulmonologist, or medical oncologist, you can also contact us directly for a second opinion or consultation.
Every patient's diagnosis is unique. Contact our team to schedule a consultation and get answers specific to your medical history.