The Department of Therapeutic Radiology works closely with the Yale Cancer Center to comprehensively evaluate and treat patients in need of any form of radiation therapy. We are widely known for our innovative approach to treatment, and have extensive experience in the following specialized areas: Breast cancer radiotherapy Central nervous system radiotherapy Gastrointestinal radiotherapy Head and neck radiotherapy Pediatric radiotherapy Prostate and genitourinary cancer radiotherapy Spine radiosurgery Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery Thoracic radiotherapy Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) Our primary goal is to ensure our patients receive the right amount of radiation at the tumor site, with as little impact as possible on the surrounding healthy tissue. Our treatment planning program, also known as medical dosimetry, is focused on just that, providing a highly individualized external or internal radiation treatment course for each patient. Site of the only Gamma Knife® center in Connecticut One of the largest U.S. centers for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) First program in Connecticut to incorporate SpaceOAR hydrogel technology in prostate radiotherapy First and only program in New England to combine SpaceOAR technology with Calypso radiofrequency tracing for precision prostate surgery

Unlike a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast, breast-conserving surgery removes only the affected breast tissue, allowing patients to continue to radiation therapy on an intact breast. Yale was one of the first facilities in the country to offer this effective combination of treatments. Our physicians also perform radiation following mastectomy, and radiation for treatment of metastasis, or for cancer that has spread. To deliver radiation for breast cancer , we use a variety of novel treatments, including conventional external beam radiation, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH), and partial breast irradiation. We also offer hypo-fractionated breast radiation, a new treatment that reduces the duration of rational therapy, with fewer side effects.

The Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital consists of a multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized physicians who are experts in diagnosing, treating, and providing care for patients with colorectal cancer , cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and liver cancer . HAI is a specialized and targeted approach to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver, primarily used in the treatment of advanced liver metastases from colorectal cancer, in addition to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Traditional systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy may not provide enough concentration of the drug within the liver while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. The procedure involves implanting an HAI pump (the size of a hockey puck) under the skin between the patient’s ribs and pelvis. The pump contains a catheter connected to the hepatic artery, the main blood vessel that supplies the liver with blood. This catheter allows for the direct infusion of chemotherapy drugs into the arterial blood supply of the liver. By administering chemotherapy directly to the affected organ, HAI will maximize the concentration of the drugs in the tumor tissue while minimizing their dilution and distribution throughout the rest of the body. The procedure typically lasts about three hours, and the pump will remain in the patient for several years. Patients will need to visit their doctor every two weeks to have the pump filled with chemotherapy, which takes approximately 10 minutes. Generally, patients will not notice the presence of the HAI pump, but should avoid rigorous physical activity, contact sports, or exposure to extreme heat, which could allow too much chemotherapy to enter the liver. The benefits of HAI include: Fewer side effects: The HAI pump allows for chemotherapy to be released directly into the liver, which is significantly more effective than traditional chemotherapy treatment. This chemotherapy remains in the liver and does not circulate throughout the patient’s body, thus limiting the side effects of treatment. Better outcomes: Chemotherapy is released into the liver continuously and is highly effective in reducing the recurrence of, controlling, or shrinking cancerous tumors in the liver. While uncommon, the HAI procedure does present a risk of complications, including infection, bleeding around the pump, or damage to the hepatic artery. Patients can be assured that our clinicians have extensive processes and procedures in place to ensure that risks are reduced before, during, and after surgery. Despite its benefits, HAI is not suitable for all patients. It is typically considered when the cancer is confined to the liver and systemic disease is limited. Patient selection is crucial, and our multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and interventional radiologists collaborate to determine the most appropriate candidates for this treatment.