Total Body Irradiation

Total Body Irradiation (TBI) is an external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) that is often used to prepare the body for bone marrow transplantation. TBI involves radiating most of the body up to three times per day for two to four days. It suppress the bone marrow recipient's immune system, in turn reducing the risk of rejection and increasing the likelihood that the transplant will be successful. TBI has the benefit of reaching cancer cells within scar tissue or other areas of the body that chemotherapy cannot reach, such as the skin surface. The dose of radiation must be low enough that the body's healthy cells can recover from the treatment. Total body irradiation can be used in the treatment of a wide variety of medical treatments, including the treatment of neuroblastoma, Hodgkin disease, and preparation for bone marrow transplantation. After an initial consultation, patients proceed to simulation, the process of creating a specific road map to treat the cancer. A custom device may be designed to help the patient remain still during treatment. Computed cosmography is performed to characterize the cancer's shape, size, and position, so the specialists can generate treatment parameters and a specific treatment plan.

Why UAB

UAB Radiation Oncology offers a wide range of advanced treatment techniques in radiation therapy including triggered imaging radiosurgery, Gamma Knife surgery, medical dosimetry, Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy, Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation Therapy, Image-Guided Radiotherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, radioisotope therapy, Stereotactic body radiation therapy, Total Body Irradiation, and Total Skin Irradiation.

In keeping with our position as a leading academic medical center, UAB’s research is at the forefront of medicine, providing our patients with the latest and most innovative medical treatment and technology. Our physicians utilize state-of-the-art technology that can precisely target tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

UAB physicians, nurses, and clinical staff create and encourage a supportive and caring environment for patients. They understand what it is like to be on the patient side of the table and consider that in every stage of care. They encourage patients to take an active and informed role in their health and treatment, while tailoring care plans and guidance to each patient’s individual needs.

We recognize that delivering the best clinical outcomes is our primary goal, but we also understand that how we deliver those outcomes determines the overall quality of your interaction with us. When we work in the laboratory, we realize that that our families and future generations are counting on us to develop novel clinical solutions to today’s health problems. When we teach tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders in clinical care and research. When we treat today’s patients, we are aiding the great leaders of tomorrow.

UAB Radiation Oncology clinicians are at the forefront of modern medicine. Their work with the greatest medical minds of today, along with their training of the physicians and researchers of tomorrow, leaves them well-versed in the latest clinical practices and in the creation of promising treatment options for tomorrow.

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Welcome to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB

Personalized cancer treatment focused on one patient at a time.

PHYSICIANS

Markus Bredel, MD, PhD

Omer L. Burnett, MD

Michael C. Dobelbower, MD, PhD

John B. Fiveash, MD

Rojymon Jacob, MD

Kimberly S. Keene, MD

Robert Kim, MD

Ruby F. Meredith, MD, PhD

Sharon A. Spencer, MD

Christopher D. Willey, MD, PhD

Eddy Yang, MD

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Total Body Irradiation. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information on clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

View Clinical Trials