Dr. Lisa Chaiken is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Saint John's. She describes a number of different radiation treatments for us.
Photon treatment delivers photon x-rays to the patient by a rotating machine. Teletherapy or radiation at a distance, focuses on one area. Brachytherapy is delivered by photons into breast tissue in a concentrated dose. Patients with widespread tumors may be treated with high doses of radiation.
Having many different types of radiation available makes it possible to pick the treatment best suited to the individual patient's needs.
"Dr. Lisa Chaiken joined Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group in 2009 and is a board certified Radiation Oncologist practicing at Saint John's Medical Center. She has been in practice over 15 years in the Santa Monica Community. Dr. Chaiken received her undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude, in History and Science from Harvard University. Her studies emphasized biological sciences, medical ethics, and historical factors influencing modern medicine. After receiving her medical degree from UCLA, she continued in the Department of Radiation Oncology, where she served as Chief Resident. After leaving UCLA, she still served as clinical faculty at the UCLA Breast Center for several years."
Video
https://www.empowher.com/breast-cancer/content/breast-cancer-radiation-which-most-effective-dr-chaiken-video