Innovis Health Cancer Center

Radiation Oncology

The Radiation Oncology Department at Innovis Health Cancer Center offers as extensive a variety of therapies as any cancer treatment center in the region. These therapies include:

  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  • IGRT with Cone Beam CT Imaging
  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
  • 3D Conformal External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
  • Brachytherapy & Prostate Seed Implantation

IGRT with Cone Beam CT Imaging

This technology creates three-dimensional axial CT slices of a patient’s tumor utilizing the treatment machine itself. This enables therapists and doctors to compare these images with initial treatment planning images to very precisely place the treatment beams. They can then make position adjustments if necessary to deliver a more targeted therapy to the patient. This technology leads to more highly customized radiation treatments, where higher doses are directed at the tumor while sparing the patient’s normal body structures.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

1. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
IMRT is the most recent in the delivery of radiation. This state-of-the-art technology is designed to shape a radiation dose to the contour of a tumor while minimizing the impact on surrounding healthy tissue or organs. It is the newest innovation in cancer treatment. The IMRT technique allows more precise adjustment of radiation doses to the tissues within the target area and reduces doses to nearby normal tissues. Theis translates to a greater chance for cure, with fewer side effects. IMRT is very useful for head, neck, brain and prostate cancer. IMRT has the flexibility to treat other cancers.

2. 3D Conformal External Beam Radiation Therapy
3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to the treatment area. Tailoring each of the radiation beams to accurately focus on the patient’s tumor allows coverage of the cancer while at the same time keeping radiation away from nearby organs.

Brachytherapy & Prostate Seed Implantation

Brachytherapy delivers high doses of radiation in or around a tumor by implanting a radioactive source in a body cavity or tissue. The type of implant depends on the size and location of the tumor. For example, small radioactive seeds are placed in the prostate gland to treat prostate cancer. Isotopes of iodine or palladium are most commonly used. The seeds are approximately 4 millimeters long and less than a millimeter in diameter. Our radiation oncologist has the ability to do brachytherapy implants.

Radioactive Seed Implantation is one method used to treat prostate cancer at Innovis Health Cancer Center. By using a needle to inject radioactive seeds into the prostate gland, radiation is released over the period of a few weeks. Patients who find it difficult to return to the clinic for traditional radiation therapy especially like this option. Innovis Health Cancer Center was the first to offer this service in the region.

After a diagnosis of prostate cancer has been established with a biopsy, the patient should discuss the treatment options with a radiation oncologist and a urologist.

Our Radiation Oncology Team consists of:

Mark Cooper, MD

Dr. Cooper received his medical degree from Wayne State University Medical School, Detroit, Michigan. He completed his Radiation Oncology residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Cooper is certified by the American Board of Radiology and is also a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a member of many professional societies, including the North Dakota State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American College of Radiology and the American College of Radiation Oncology.

As a Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Cooper has knowledge and experience in:

  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  • Prostate cancer and its treatment, including 3-D treatment planning, prostate seed planning and conformal therapy.

Emily Nelson, ARRT, (R) (T) – Radiation Oncology Manager

Emily received her BS in radiologic technology and radiation therapy from Washburn University in Topeka, KS. She also holds certification in both of these fields and has over 5 years of experience in working with radiation oncology. Emily is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators, and the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Emily resides in Fargo and enjoys running and reading.