Cancer Articles

Gil Lederman Discusses Brain Radiosurgery
A primary difference between standard radiation and fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery is that standard radiation must - because of less precision - radiate large amounts of normal healthy brain - compared to radiosurgery, which focuses on the tumor. Radiation of healthy brain usually cannot be construed as always optimal and may, in fact, lead to complications. Radiosurgery represents the opposite end of the spectrum from standard radiation - focused directed radiation with prescribed doses of treatment.

Think of a plum in a breadbox and imagine the plum is the tumor while the brain is the breadbox. Standard radiation treats the larger breadbox while we isolate the plum for treatment. That means we can escalate the dose to the tumor and diminish much of the unnecessary dose to normal brain tissue. That should mean less chance of late adverse effects. Stereotactic radiosurgery has a greater degree of accuracy than just conformal radiation. There are issues concerning risks, benefits and alternatives that must be discussed. While IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) helps shape the radiation, it is only one part of our innovative program.

As the nation’s second most deadly disease, cancer brings with it several risk factors. Therefore, it’s logical that we take a good look at the foods we’re eating, and start introducing nutrient-rich foods that are known to help reduce the cancer risk. A diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits, including juices made from 100 percent fruit juice, can make a big difference in your cancer risk.

There is a reason we have pain and that is to stop us from injuring ourselves further as the pain will normally stop us from doing any more damage. Pain can come from any type of injury, illness or condition but it is then our job to locate where the pain is originating from to stop it. However, there are occasions where even though we know where the pain is coming from we have trouble stopping it.

We all experience pain for a reason but on many occasions it is a warning for us to discontinue something we are doing. Pain can come from any type of injury, illness or condition but it is then our job to locate where the pain is originating from to stop it. Sometimes, however, pain isn't dealt with so easily and it remains with us despite all efforts to banish it.