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National Life Cancer Treatment CenterCentral Vermont Medical Center 's National Life Cancer Treatment Center houses a state of the art linear accelerator which utilizes advanced technology to deliver cutting-edge radiation therapy treatments.
The Cancer Center is a partnership between Central Vermont Medical Center and Fletcher Allen Health Care. The vision is to provide high quality, cost effective and geographically accessible radiation therapy services to approximately 93,000 residents of the central Vermont region, including several towns designated as Medically Underserved Areas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Our service area ranges from Eden to Brookfield and from Stowe to Cabot. Click here for a service area map.
Cancer Center Treatments
Various types of treatments exist and will be ordered by your radiation doctor upon review of your particular cancer type. Those treatments include:
- IMRT - Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
- IGRT - Image Guided Radiation Therapy
- 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy
- SmartArc/Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy
There will be three steps in the treatment process which includes simulation , treatment planning, and treatment delivery.
The first phase of treatment includes tumor imaging during a process called simulation. The patient is scanned on a CT scanner to acquire 3-dimensional images. The CT scanner is connected via computers to “link” with the computer-based treatment planning system.
During phase two, the dosimetrist works in conjunction with the radiation oncologist to determine the treatment location, number of treatment fields, beam arrangement and total dose distribution required to treat the patient. To ensure that quality standards are met, the medical physicist will then review the treatment plan.
The final phase is the delivery of the radiation treatment to the patient using a linear accelerator . Patients receiving radiation treatments are treated once per day, five days per week. Those receiving palliative radiation to alleviate pain and improve quality of life typically receive fewer treatments.
Patient Navigator
The National Life Cancer Treatment Center will employ a “Patient Navigator” to guide patients through the healthcare system, helping to overcoming access problems and other barriers to quality care. The Patient Navigator also serves as a connection between the patient and the various providers involved with the patient's care. The Navigator will assist patients and their families to obtain needed information and will provide referral to, and coordination of community resources.
How can I arrange to have my treatments at CVMC's Cancer Center ?
Once diagnosed with cancer, your primary care physician will refer your care to an oncologist . The medical oncology team will schedule a consult for you to discuss the treatment options available, and if necessary, refer you to a radiation oncologist . Other specialists including urologists and dermatologists may also refer patients to a radiation oncologist .
Chemotherapy at CVMC
Mountainview Medical, a member of Central Vermont Medical Group, provides oncology and hematology services for patients of Central Vermont. Medical oncologists and an oncology nurse specialist, along with other dedicated staff, have been serving the patients of Central Vermont for a number of years. They provide all aspects of oncology and hematology disease management, which include bone marrow biopsies and outpatient chemotherapy infusions.
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