Charach Cancer Treatment Center at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

Radiation Therapy for Joint Pain: Innovation in Musculoskeletal Treatment

Inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions are a common concern, particularly among older adults worldwide. These conditions, primarily arthritis-related, cause joint degeneration and debilitating pain that can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form, is responsible for more than 90% of total hip and knee replacements worldwide. While traditional treatments often rely on long-term analgesic therapy or, in severe cases, joint replacement, new advancements are expanding options for pain relief.

At the Charach Cancer Treatment Center, we are committed to providing comprehensive orthopedic care, which includes exploring innovative treatments like radiation therapy for inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. Research suggests that low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) may help reduce pain and inflammation in conditions like osteoarthritis, offering a promising noninvasive alternative to long-term medication use and its potential side effects. For those who has exhausted other treatment options, we offer LDRT for arthritis and plantar fasciitis.

Infusion Services at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

The Infusion Center at the Charach Cancer Treatment Center (CCTC) provides patients the opportunity to be treated for a wide variety of medical conditions on an outpatient basis. Gastroenterology, General Internal Medicine, Hematology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Oncology, Neurology, Pulmonology and Rheumatology are among the medical specialties that refer patients to the Infusion Center.

Medical oncologists and other physician specialists choose the CCTC for a variety of infusion services, including:

• Antibiotic therapy
• Chemotherapy administration
• Colony-stimulating growth factors (i.e., Neupogen, Neulasta, Procrit, Aranesp)
• Hormonal and non-hormonal injections
• Hydration/electrolyte replacement
• Immune- globulin therapy
• Iron infusions
• Monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Herceptin, Rituxan, Remicade)
• Therapeutic phlebotomy
• Transfusion of blood products

Services are limited to adults and provided by knowledgeable, experienced nurses who combine clinical excellence with individualized patient care. Our nurses are highly skilled in peripheral and central venous access and maintain chemotherapy administration certificates in Oncology Nurses Society (ONS). Our nursing staff also includes nurses who are certified by the Oncology Nurses Society. 

The comfortable and relaxed environment of the Infusion Center offers 11 patient seating areas with reclining treatment chairs, individual TVs, and privacy curtains, all in full view of the nurse's station/desk. There are also two private rooms with beds available.

Radiation Therapy at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

The Charach Cancer Treatment Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), representing the highest quality and patient safety level. The ACR seal of accreditation is the gold standard in radiation oncology practice for patient care and treatment, staffing, equipment, patient safety policies and quality control.

Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital’s board-certified radiation oncologists provide advanced treatment for a wide range of cancers. In addition to our experienced team, we offer some of the latest radiation therapy technology, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which allows radiation amounts to be adjusted during treatment to spare close-by normal tissue and permits increased doses of radiation to the tumor. We also use a Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) that allows metal "fingers,” controlled by a computer, to filter radiation beams in a precise pattern for more targeted treatments. Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital radiation oncologists treat many cancers, including:

• Bladder
• Blood
• Bone
• Brain
• Breast
• Colorectal
• Gastrointestinal
• Gynecological
• Head
• Liver
• Lung
• Lymphoma
• Kidney
• Neck
• Pancreatic
• Prostate
• Testicular
• Thyroid

Your radiation oncologist and the radiation therapy team will work closely with your other Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital cancer doctors before, during and after your radiation treatments to coordinate your care and provide the safest and most effective treatments available.

Linear Accelerator (LINAC)

One of the most advanced cancer treatment platforms, the linear accelerator (LINAC), is located at the Charach Cancer Treatment Center at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital. This external-beam radiation technology pinpoints and treats cancerous and noncancerous abnormalities in the body with targeted conformal high energy X-rays resulting in less radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. The LINAC is used to treat all body sites, using techniques including Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS).

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital uses Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Also called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), external radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and precisely deliver radiation to tumors in the body (except the brain). The total dose of radiation is divided into smaller amounts given over several days. This type of radiation therapy helps spare normal tissue.

Close and comfortable care

Radiation therapy treatments are often prescribed once per day for 2 to 7 weeks. The close, convenient care at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital offers many advantages in addition to some of the latest technology. You’ll benefit from onsite free parking, pleasant surroundings and compassionate caregivers who will make you and your family as comfortable as possible during your course of treatment.

How is radiation therapy used?

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is used to cure, stop, or slow cancer growth. When a cure is not possible, radiation may be used to shrink cancer tumors to help reduce pain or problems caused by cancer. For example, radiation therapy may shrink a tumor that prevents a patient from eating or swallowing.

How is radiation therapy given to patients?

There are two main types of radiation therapy, external beam and internal. External beam radiation comes from a machine outside the body aimed at the cancer cells.

The first is from an external beam outside the body aimed at the cancer cells. For example, this is how the linear accelerator works. It can also be used internally when radioactive material is placed inside the body near cancer cells. Internal radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. The third type of radiation therapy is systemic radiation therapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance given by mouth or into a vein that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body.

Radiation therapy can damage normal cells as well as cancer cells. Therefore, your DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital radiation oncologist will carefully plan your treatment to minimize side effects. The radiation oncologist determines the dosage and scheduling of treatments, manages side effects, and all other aspects of your radiation therapy. The type of radiation therapy prescribed by a radiation oncologist depends on many factors, including:

• The type of cancer.
• The size of cancer.
• Cancer's location in the body.
• How close the cancer is to normal tissues sensitive to radiation.
• How far into the body the radiation needs to travel.

For more information about radiation therapy at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital or find a Radiation Oncologist, please call (248) 937-5077.

Other Helpful Hints:

• Family or friends are welcome to accompany you during your treatment. However, visiting restrictions may vary but preferably no small children or those that are ill. Please call the main desk at 248-937-5077 to verify the most updated visitor policy.
• For first-time therapy, it is recommended that someone accompany you to your appointment.
• Refreshments are available but lunch is not provided.
• You may eat breakfast and take usual medications before coming for your appointment unless otherwise directed.

Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance and Safety

A number of our faculty members are national and international leaders in the delivery of quality care for radiation therapy.

Caregivers are licensed and/or credentialed professionals in all areas of our program. We provide accredited training programs for residents, medical physics residents, and therapists. All members of your treatment team participate in continuing education within our department and nationally to ensure that we provide you with the best care.

To ensure quality treatments, we follow processes that include multiple review steps prior to and during delivery of your course of treatment. You are cared for by a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dosimetrists, therapists, and physicists. After your CT simulation, a treatment plan is created following your physician’s requirements to provide you with the best care. After your physician has approved your treatment plan, a physicist reviews the plan prior to your first treatment. Patients receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy will have the plan reviewed and approved again before treatment can begin.

Prior to the delivery of each treatment, the therapists who care for you at the treatment center verify your physician’s prescription, the plan information, and then the delivery of that plan. The therapists also use the cameras and intercoms to monitor you during treatment. During the course of your treatment, your progress through treatment is reviewed by your caregivers.

Cancer Support Services at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

Visiting restrictions may vary; please call the main desk at 248-937-5077 to verify the most updated visitor policy.

At DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, we believe in treating the whole person – emotionally and physically. Support for cancer goes beyond the latest treatment options and advanced medical expertise. No matter the diagnosis or treatment, the center takes a multidisciplinary approach to everything they do.

Oncology Nurse Navigators

Our multidisciplinary approach includes two certified nurse navigators. Our nurse navigators help patients through the continuum of care from diagnosis, through treatments, into survivorship and remove any barriers to care for patients.

Nurse navigation services include:

• Coordinate appointments
• Educate patients and caregivers about diagnosis and treatment options
• Acts as liaison between patient, caregivers and healthcare providers
• Connect patients with support services
• Continuous supportive care throughout the cancer journey

To speak with our Oncology Nurse Navigator Tammi Pouget, RN, please call 248-937-5183.

To speak with our Oncology Nurse Navigator Veronica Nowasielski, BSN, RN, please call 248-937-4325.

Oncology Registered Dietitian

We are firm believers in the team approach for our patients. Our Registered Dietitian has more than ten years of oncology experience.

Nutritional counseling includes:

• Determine individualized nutrition requirements across the continuum of the cancer experience, including prevention, treatment and survivorship
• Provide diet recommendations and education
• Help reduce cancer treatment side effects
• Help optimize energy, strength, and immune function
• Promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits
• Provide nutrition-related resources

Nutrition counseling is held at the Charach Cancer Treatment Center. Appointments can be made on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To speak with our Registered Dietitian Jessica Barrett, MS, RD, CSO, please call 248-937-5135.

Oncology Social Worker

The Charach Cancer Treatment Center has a full time, licensed and Board Certified Oncology Social Worker to address the social, emotional, and financial struggles that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. The Oncology Social Worker is available to all cancer patients and family members to provide support, education, referrals, and counseling throughout their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This support service is free of charge.

To speak to our Oncology Social Worker Teri Sahn-Silver, LMSW, OSW-C, please call 248-937-5163.

Robotic–assisted Bronchoscopy

Benefits may include:

• Potential to biopsy smaller lung nodules to identify and treat lung cancer sooner
• Ability for the physician to visually reach all 18 segments of the lungs
• Opportunity for precise placement of tools throughout the biopsy process

To see if a lung cancer screening is right for you, ask your primary care physician.

For more information about this new offering at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, contact our Lung Nurse Navigator at 248-937-5183.