The Easton Regional Cancer Center participates in a number of investigational treatment protocols (Clinical Trials) available through the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, the Clinical Trials Support Unit and the in-house studies at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Radiation Oncology

In our radiation oncology area, the team is composed of Board Certified radiation oncologists (physicians), a physicist, radiation therapists, a dosimetrist (a person trained in determining the proper amount of radiation and monitoring its effects) and support staff—all with many years of experience. In this setting, patients can expect to receive not only individually tailored, highly advanced technological treatment plans but also the symptom management and emotional support these treatments require.

In order to meet the diverse treatment needs of the community, Easton Hospital is equipped with a variety of radiation equipment including:

• a Varian Linear Accelerator; 
• a Nucletron CT Simulator; 
• a Phillps Pinnacle 3D treatment planning system 
• TomoTherapy™ IMR/IGRT Accelerator System
• Brachytherapy: Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI)
• Accuboost Technology- Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) used to accurately target the lumpectomy site and deliver treatment to the breast while protecting healthy heart and lungs.

About TomoTherapy™

We are the third healthcare facility in the state of Pennsylvania to offer TomoTherapy, IMRT/IGRT technology for the treatment of many different types of cancer. The TomoTherapy system combines an advanced form of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), the accuracy of CT scanning technology (IGRT) and advanced tools for planning and delivering radiation therapy in one machine.

With TomoTherapy, the Radiation Therapy Team at Easton Regional Cancer Center can:

• Sculpt small, powerful and precise radiation beams to hit hard to reach tumors 
• Target tumors using built in CT scanning to confirm the shape and position of the tumor seconds before your treatment begins 
• Reduce radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissue, often dramatically.

If you have reached your maximum tolerance dose of traditional radiation, TomoTherapy may open new doors to advanced radiation therapy treatments.

The Radiation Oncology Department is located inside the main hospital at the convenient 20th street entrance. For further information about Radiation Oncology call 610-250-4860.

Charles A. Waltman Tumor Registry

A cancer/tumor registry is an information system which collects, manages and analyzes information on persons with the diagnosis of cancer. Easton Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the nation to establish a comprehensive cancer registry in order to ensure patients the best possible care. The year was 1946.

The type of information collected and analyzed includes demographics, medical history, diagnostic findings and information about specific cancers. The registry also tracks the types and frequency of treatments or interventions that each patient receives and follows cancer survivors for the rest of their lives.

By collecting and analyzing this data in cooperation with state and national public health officials, we monitor cancer incidences in our community and identify areas where interventions such as educational programs or screenings are needed.

At the community level, we use the registry data to assure that the care offered by the Hospital not only meets the needs of the community, but also meets or exceeds the national standards set by the various accrediting agencies for quality care.

Clinical Research

One of the ways the Easton Regional Cancer Center stays up-to-date with the growing science of cancer treatment is by participating in clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies that look at how treatments work in large populations of similar people. Through our partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center our patients and their treating physicians have access to a number of clinical trials available. Often these trials involve new medications or treatment protocols.

Through their voluntary participation, our patients have helped prove that certain drug regimens are more effective and/or better tolerated than others in preventing cancer recurrence. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, we encourage you to talk to your physician about the options.

To find out what clinical research trials are currently available, visit eastonhospitaloncologyresearch.wirenode.mobi