Our Cancer Care Specialists
David Musich, MD is the current Chair of the Clark Memorial Hospital Cancer Committee, as well as a past Cancer Registry QA Coordinator at Clark Memorial Hospital. Dr. Musich is board certified and fellowship-trained. In addition to the many cancer screening programs that he participates in, Dr. Musich is a regular speaker at community events and offers presentations to Hosparus and VistaCare.
Charles H. Matthews, MD, MBA received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Matthews completed his residency training in radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He was the medical director at the Georgia Center for Total Cancer Care as well as the lead radiation oncologist at Lonestar Radiation Oncology.
Lawrence Hochman, DO is board certified in radiation oncology and participates in the American Board of Radiology maintenance of certification program. He has a master’s degree in Health Services Administration. Dr. Hochman’s experience includes all aspects of radiotherapy including SRS, IMRT/IGRT, SABR, and 3D conformal planning and treatment. He has performed more than 1,000 prostate seed implant procedures.
Our Cancer Care Technologies
3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy
Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) uses computers, CT scans and MRI scans to create detailed, three-dimensional representations of the tumor and surrounding organs. The treatment team uses these images to shape the radiation beams to match the size and shape of the tumor. The tools used to shape the radiation beams are multileaf collimators or custom fabricated heavy metal blocks inserted between the beam and the patient. Nearby normal tissue receives less radiation exposure because the radiation beams are targeted directly at the tumor.
Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning & Simulation
Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning & Simulation allows the cancer specialists to design a treatment plan specifically for the patient based on the size, location, and shape of the tumor. The patient will have three-dimensional images (CT Scans) taken. These are used with the treatment planning software that helps determine how to best deliver the radiation beams while reducing damage to surrounding areas. In some cases, it may be necessary to mark the patient’s skin with a tiny marker so that the patient is perfectly realigned in the correct position for every session of radiation therapy. The need for a temporary or permanent marker will be discussed with the patient before the simulation.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) combines three-dimensional images, such as CT scans, with the precise technology of either 3-D or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to pinpoint and treat cancerous tumors. The images allow the cancer specialists to precisely localize the tumor each time radiation therapy is administered. This improves both accuracy of delivery and safety by reducing radiation exposure to other areas of the body including nearby tissue and organs. IGRT is used to treat tumors in areas of the body that are prone to movement, such as the lungs, liver, and prostate gland, as well as tumors located close to critical organs and tissues.