Compassionate Care & the World's Most Advanced Cancer Treatments

   In 2008, it is predicted that 1,437,180 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed. With any cancer, it is crucial to get the best cancer care available. 

    The expert team at ECU Radiation Oncology combines big-city services with small-town friendliness and offers patients the world's most advanced treatments and years of treatment experience. ECU Radiation Oncology is located at the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center in Greenville, North Carolina, which is the most comprehensive cancer treatment, academic, and research center in the eastern North Carolina region. 

    The ECU Radiation Oncology team is the largest, most experienced, and diverse team ever assembled in Eastern North Carolina. Their expert team of cancer specialists has been able to bring the latest radiation technologies to the region. ECU Radiation Oncology is the only radiation oncology center in eastern North Carolina certified by the American College of Radiology- one of only three certified centers in the entire state of North Carolina! Unlike large corporations often focusing on their bottom line and their investors, ECU Radiation Oncology focuses first and foremost on its patients. 

    In 2002, they became the first practice in North Carolina to provide Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). In 2003, they began offering the world's most advanced technique - Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). Today, they offer this highly advanced technique via in-room diagnostic CT scans on the state-ofthe-art Siemens' CTVision. The CT-Vision provides for crystal-clear images and unmatched visualization. It is the only fully integrated Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) solution that brings the same fast, high contrast diagnostic CT imaging standard used for treatment planning into the treatment room. 

    "With CT-Vision, knowing about changes in critical structures on a daily basis - especially soft-tissue inter-fractional changes -allows us to adapt the therapy as needed and accurately target the evolving cranial topography," said Ron R. Allison, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology. 

    In addition to IMRT and IGRT, ECU Radiation Oncology offers patients other state-of-the-art treatments options including: 

    Stereotactic Radiosurgery for early stage lung cancer, High Dose Rate (HDR) & Low Dose Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy, Gamma Knife "No-Incision" Radiosurgery, implantable Dose Verification System (DVS®), Prostate Seed Implants, 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy (treatment with light), MRI/CT/ PET Scan Fusion, Optimized Partial Breast Irradiation, Mammosite®, TheraSphere for liver cancer or metastases, Zevalin for lymphoma, Holistic Services (support, counseling, nutritional, family, etc.), and expert second opinions. These treatments promise to raise the quality of life of patients by maximizing results and minimizing side-effects. 

    These innovative technologies require a team of dedicated physicists and other supporting staff that constantly work behind the scenes. The ECU Radiation Oncology team performs rigorous quality assurance checks so that patients get the full benefits of their advanced technology. The team is very proud of our high quality assurance standards that help us deliver the safest and most reproducible treatments possible. Treatment reproducibility, which means that the patient consistently receives the right amount of radiation to the intended treatment target during the various weeks of treatment, is critical. Reproducibility is critical in radiotherapy because unlike other cancer treatments, most patients can only receive a curative course of radiation to a specific area once. 

    The ECU Radiation Oncology commitment to making lives better with the best technical and human resources is what they call the "ECU Physicians Advantage." The ECU Radiation Oncology team features the expertise of radiation oncologists: Ron R. Allison, MD; Hyder H. Arastu, MD; Roger Ove, MD, PhD; Suzanne Russo, MD; Gloria Frelix, MD, MHA; and Hiram A. Gay, MD. 

    Radiation oncologists oversee radiation therapy treatments. These physicians work with the other members of the radiation therapy team to develop collaborative cancer fighting treatment plans that are unique to each patient and ensure that each treatment is given in its most accurate form. Radiation oncologists also monitor progress and adjust the treatment as necessary to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing side effects. Before, during and after radiation therapy treatments, radiation oncologists work closely with other cancer physicians, such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation's effectiveness. 

    Radiation oncologists have completed at least four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of general medical training, and four years of residency or specialty training in radiation oncology. They have extensive training in cancer medicine and the safe use of radiation to treat disease. 

    In the fight against cancer, partner with an experienced, caring team offering the world's most advanced treatments. Partner with ECU Radiation Oncology. Call 252.744.2900or 800.223.9328 for information or appointments, or log on to their website at www.ecu.edu/ radiationoncology.