Helen P. Denit Center for Radiation Therapy
Conveniently located in your community, you'll find state-of-the-art radiation therapy and expertise at The Helen P. Denit Center for Radiation Therapy. Affiliated with the
University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, our center is equipped to provide some of the most comprehensive radiation planning and treatment available.
"We knew we wanted to provide cancer treatment here, but we also knew that we wanted to give more than Montgomery General Hospital could provide," said Peter Monge, the hospital's president and chief executive officer.
"We can offer advanced technology, technical expertise, highly-trained staff and the highest quality, up-to-date treatment to Olney," said Monge.
Luther L. Ampey, III, M.D. is a board-certified radiation oncologist with the Helen P. Denit Center for Radiation Therapy Medical Director, Liaison Physician to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for Montgomery General Hospital, and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
(Learn more about Dr. Ampey).External Beam Radiation
This three-dimensional treatment is initially planned on a Picker AcQusim also known as a CT-Simulator. Once images are acquired, they are transferred to a Precisionplan treatment planning system, where treatment volumes and vital structures are defined and outlined by a radiation oncologist. Upon complete evaluation, a treatment plan is developed and sent via computer to the Elekta dual-energy linear accelerator. This linear accelerator allows a registered radiation therapist to deliver the patient's daily treatment. Patients receive treatment daily, Monday through Friday. A complete course of treatment usually lasts from two to six weeks depending on the patient's diagnosis.
Permanent Prostate Seed Implant
Considered by the medical community to be a fairly young form of treatment for prostate cancer, permanent prostate seed implant is offered as an alternative to surgery for many patients. Tiny seeds or radioactive pellets are directly inserted into the prostate gland. In most cases, this is done in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia. During this non-invasive surgical procedure, the radiation oncologist will work with the patient's urologist to place seeds via a needle catheter directly into the patient's prostate gland. Recovery from the procedure involves a one-night hospital stay and most patients can return to normal activities within days.
IMRT
A highly sophisticated form of external beam radiation, IMRT allows radiation oncologist to calculate radiation doses using a moving grid or leaf technique that delivers higher doses of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue. This form of treatment is only found in leading-edge medical facilities like the Helen P. Denit Cancer Center for Radiation Therapy.