InterCommunity Cancer Centers and Institute: Clermont, Leesburg, Lady Lake, and The Villages

1. Clinac iX™ and eX™
Linear Accelerator Overview
Medical linear accelerators are computerized machines used for
delivering radiotherapy treatments.
Standing approximately 9 feet tall by nearly 15 feet long and weigh-
ing as much as 18,700 pounds, the accelerator consists of five major
components: an electronics cabinet called a “stand” housing a
microwave energy generating source; a rotating gantry containing
the accelerator structure that rotates around the patient; an
adjustable treatment couch; an imaging device for pinpointing the
targeted tumor just prior to each treatment, and operating elec-
tronics. Accelerators are located within specially constructed
concrete treatment rooms to provide X-ray shielding.
In operation, microwave energy, similar to that used in satellite television transmission, is used
to accelerate electrons to nearly the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). They attain this
velocity in a short distance, typically one meter or less. As they reach maximum speed they
collide with a metal target, which in turn releases photons, or X-rays, with such energy they
are measured in millions of volts (MV). Certain models can be switched so that the electrons
bypass the target for direct electron therapy. This energy is measured in millions of electron
volts (MeV).
Radiation oncologists and physicists use electron or photon therapies for different types of
cancer treatments. Generally speaking, photons (X-rays) are used for treating tumors deep
within the body. Electrons, which cannot penetrate deep tissue, are used for more superficial
disease including some skin cancers and shallow head and neck lesions.
As the radiation strikes human tissue it produces (largely from naturally occurring water in the
body) highly energized ions that are lethat to both
normal and malignant cells. While all cells suffer
from radiation, healthy cells can adapt over
successive regenerative cycles. Malignant cells do
not possess this adaptation mechanism and thus
do not survive, a fact that generally dictates the
practice of administering repeated radiation
treatments rather than a single blockbuster
dosage.

2. BrachyTherapy
Low Dose Rate (LDR) & High Dose Rate (HDR)
Brachytherapy is the temporary or permanent placement
of a radioactive source either on or within body tissues or
cavaties. Also called internal radiation therapy or implant
therapy, brachytherapy allows the delivery of a high dose
of radiation to a small area while sparing surrounding
normal tissue as much as possible. The most common
methods used to deliver the necessary dose of internal
radiation therapy include interstitial implants and intra-
cavitary implants. Our radiation oncologists are able to provide several types of brachytherapy.
Internal radiation may be given as the only radiation treatment or in conjunction with external
beam radiation. Some implants require hospitalization and
others are performed on an outpatient basis.
In an interstitial implant, the radioactive source is contained
within a needle, seed, wire or catheter that is placed directly
into the tumor or tumor bed. The implant may be temporary
or permanent (e.g. prostate seed). Temporary implants can
be done with high intensity sources that oscillate within the
radiation carrier and are removed within minutes (high dose
rate or HDR) or with moderate intensity sources that are
maintained within the tumor for hours to days (low dose rate
or LDR). Permanent implants, also known as “seed implants”, are LDR brachytherapy treatments
that utilize radioactive materials that are implanted permanently within the tumor to provide
highly localized radiation.
In an intracavitary treatment, the radioactive material is placed directly into the body cavity
(such as the uterus) and held in place by an applicator. These are always temporary implants and
may be HDR or LDR brachytherapy treatments.
Brachytherapy is often used in the treatment of cancers of the breast, cervix, endometrium,
prostate and head and neck area. During the initial consultation
with the radiation oncologist, he or she will discuss the treat-
ment plan with the patient. If an implant is part of the treat-
ment plan, this will be included in the discussion.
Before the implant, the radiation oncologist will discuss the
procedure with the patient again in full detail. The radiation
oncology nurse will meet with them to give them verbal and
written instructions regarding how to prepare for the procedure,
precautions to take, wher eto report and after-care at home.

3. Valencia™
Skin Brachytherapy
While surgical excision is the most common treatment for
skin cancer, primary and post-operative High Dose Rate
brachytherapy may be appropriate for certain patients. It
can increase cure rates and improve functional and
cosmetic results. Patients receiving HDR brachytherapy
treatment for skin cancer will require fewer visits to a
cancer center and can be treated as early as their first
visit. It is a time tested and safe method that allows
physicians to treat the cancer with greater precision and
less trauma to the patient.
This procedure gives physicians and patients the significant advantage of applying a higher dose
of radiation directly to the tumor, while sparing healthy tissue and surrounding organs. As a
result, this course of treatment is much shorter and more comfortable than other cancer treat-
ments, and is often performed on an outpatient basis within a few minutes per treatment.
There are minimal side effects associated to the treatment and minimal recovery time. The
patient can safely go home and return to normal activities after the procedure. HDR brachy-
therapy can be used alone or combined with other treatment modalities.
Valencia applicators are used to treat superficial skin cancers, surface, intra-oral, and vaginal
cuff treatment. They are particularly useful for treating lesions around the eyelids, ears and
nose where electron applicator treatment is not suitable due to set-up and possible damaging
exposure to these organs. These applicators are also particularly good for tumors of small size
and shallow depth.
These tungston cup-shaped applicators have a flattening filter to provide a uniform isodose for
superficial treatments of lesions up to 3 cm in diameter and 4 mm in depth. They limit the
amount of radiation to the required area using tungsten shielding and are designed to treat to
the correct depth without overexposing the skin, yielding excellent cosmetic and functional
results.
HDR brachytherapy treatment, using Valencia
applicators, offers a convenient and non-surgical
option for patients with small and large superfi-
cial skin cancers. Fewer treatments over a shorter
time period offer patients convenience and less
disruption to daily routines. HDR brachytherapy is
well suited for elderly or infirm patients as well as
those on blood thinners or at risk for delayed
post-surgical healing time.

4. Our Radiation Therapy
Physicians
Hal Jacobson, M.D.
Having experienced his 39-year-old mother's death from cancer when he
was twelve, Dr. Jacobson made an early commitment to ease the suffer-
ing of cancer patients and their families. Personal history inspired his
career as an oncologist as well as his commitment to provide highly
individualized patient care. Dr. Jacobson's motto -“I don't treat cancer, I
treat people (who have cancer)”- sets the compassionate and compre-
hensive standard of care for his own work and that of Intercommunity
Cancer Institute (ICCI) as a whole. He and the ICCI team at this
community-based center take time to thoroughly educate each patient
and understand his or her particular situation.
Miami native, Dr. Jacobson graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gaines-
ville, and was then recruited for his residency in radiation oncology by Harvard, Stanford, M.D.
Anderson, Washington University, as well as his alma mater. "I chose to turn down the others and
continue at the University of Florida under world renowned, Dr. Rodney R. Million. U of F was the
only Department combining academic excellence and a hands-on technical experience along with
primary responsibility for direct patient care." In 1985 Dr. Jacobson accepted an appointment to
become the Founding Medical Director of Intercommunity Cancer Centers (ICCC) in Leesburg,
Florida. ICCC and ICCI bring the best of Radiation Oncology to the patient's community so the
patient can enjoy the comforts of home with the highest level of medical care available today.
Herman Flink, M.D.
Intercommunity Cancer Centers' radiation oncologist Dr. Flink is a gradu-
ate of New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He completed a medical-
surgical internship at Tulane/Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans
and the following residencies: diagnostic and therapeutic radiology at
Atlantic City Medical Center (New Jersey); therapeutic radiology at
University of Miami (Florida); and therapeutic radiology at The Johns
Hopkins Medical Center (Baltimore, Maryland). Dr. Flink was also an
American Cancer Society Clinical Fellow in Therapeutic Radiology at
Johns Hopkins from 1978 to 1979. Dr. Flink is board-certified by The
American Board of Radiology in both Radiation Oncology and Radiology (diagnostics).
In January 1979, Dr. Flink became the first physician board certified in radiation oncology to join
the staff of Florida Hospital Orlando. As Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at
Florida Hospital, Dr. Flink developed the largest radiation oncology group practicing in Orlando. He
obtained a Johns Hopkins Affiliation for the Florida hospital system, and subsequently founded and
built the John Hopkins Affiliated Center for Cancer Care in Orlando / Winter Park. He remained
with the Orlando practice until 1997, at which time he joined the InterCommunity Cancer Center.

5. Our Radiation Therapy
Physician
Bobby Evans Harrison, M.D.
Dr. Bobby Evans Harrison, an ABR certified Radiation Oncologist,
joined the InterCommunity Cancer Institute in August, 2010. Dr. Harri-
son is a former BSN registered nurse. She was her high school’s
valedictorian and a member of the Golden Key Society (National Honor
Society for nursing). She received an epiphany to attend medical
school while climbing Mt. Fugi in Japan. “The Lord ordered my steps
to become a compassionate physician.” Dr. Harrison received her M.D.
degree from East Carolina University Medical School, and graduated
from Duke University Medical Center – Radiation Oncology residency
program 2002.
Dr. Harrison treats patients with all types of cancers with a Holistic approach. She has been
trained in bio-oxidative therapies and sometimes utilizes a complementary approach
(conventional therapy and alternative medicine) to give patients the highest level of medical
care.
Dr. Harrison’s radiation therapy expertise includes treatments ranging from 3-D conformal to
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), various high dose rate brachytherapies (SAVI, Valen-
cia, Endobronchial, T&O’s, implants, and vaginal cylinders). Dr. Harrison’s motto is, “Your work
is your signature. Sign it with Excellence!”

6. Insurance and
Payor List
■ Aetna
■ AmeriChoice (Through UHC)
■ BCBS of Florida
■ Beech Street
■ Cigna
■ Citrus Healthcare
■ CorVel
■ FedMed
■ Florida Medicaid
■ Florida Medicare
■ Freedom Health
■ Galaxy Health Network
■ Golden Rule
■ Group Health Incorporated (GHI)
■ Health Choice
■ Humana / ChoiceCare
■ Humana Gold Plus
■ Humana Veterans Healtcare Services
■ MetCare / AdvantageCore
■ Multiplan / PHCS
■ Physicians United Plan through Wellmed (PUP)
■ RR Medicare
■ Secure Horizons
■ Staywell
■ Sunshine State
■ TriCare (Prime and Standard)
■ United Healthcare
■ UPMC Heath Plan
■ Wellcare