research profile
Dr. Bethany Anderson’s Research
Traditional radiation therapy requires multiple treatments and may cause side effects in surrounding healthy tissues.
My research investigates ways to improve cancer control and reduce side effects of treatment for breast and gynecologic cancer. This includes using advanced imaging and radiation delivery techniques to more precisely identify and treat cancerous areas. I also study shorter treatment courses.
Last updated:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-Guided Breast Radiation
The University of Wisconsin is one of the first radiation oncology clinics in the world to offer treatment with the ViewRay treatment system. This allows us to monitor patients with MRI in real time before and during the delivery of radiation therapy, ensuring the most precise treatment possible. I am utilizing this technology to learn more about the motion of breast tissue (i.e., post-operative lumpectomy cavity) and other adjacent healthy organs (i.e., lung) between and during radiation treatments.
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation
Traditionally, nearly all women undergoing partial mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer received approximately six weeks of once-daily radiation treatments directed at the whole breast. Many options now exist that allow certain women to receive approximately one week of radiation treatments directed only to the portion of the breast affected by cancer (APBI). Soon, we will be offering women a novel option for receiving a total of three MRI-guided ViewRay APBI treatments precisely targeted to only the affected portion of the breast.
