Trilogy™ Stereotactic System from Varian Medical Systems is one of Hartford Hospital's latest innovations. (more)

The Department of Radiation Oncology uses many new innovations and techniques in treating patients with thoracic neoplasms, including 3-D conformal radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy and high dose rate brachytherapy. 

 

In addition, stereotactic radiation therapy and radiosurgery are utilized in selected patients.

Radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, medical dosimetrists, radiation therapy nurses, engineers, radiation therapists, and other staff work together towards providing excellent care. Care is actively coordinated with medical oncology colleagues, as patients with thoracic neoplasms frequently require concomitant therapies. 

Thoracic imaging specialists from the Department of Radiology help to ensure excellent staging and imaging information so that diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can be optimized. Hartford Hospital is the first hospital in New England to acquire PET/CT technology for accurate staging and followup of lung tumors.

Interventional radiologists use CT scan guided biopsies to non invasively sample tissue from the chest. This technique was pioneered at Hartford Hospital. 

The Interventional Oncology division of the Department of Radiology provides the therapeutic option of percutaneous cryoablation of thoracic neoplasm in patients who are not surgical candidates. Cryoablation involves focal freezing of tumors using small caliber probes under CT guidance. It is usually done on an outpatient basis and is well tolerated by patient.