Healthy Living Newsletter
Advanced Radiation Therapy
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| SOPHISTICATED TUMOR MAPPING: Five-field
Eclipse IMRT Plan for Prostate viewed with an isodose
cloud. Using microwave energy to accelerate electrons
to nearly the speed of light and IMRT contouring software,
the Mercy Regional Cancer Center can now isolate and
eradicate cancer tumors, sparing the healthy surrounding
tissue. |
One of the world’s most advanced cancer treatments
is now available through the Mercy Regional Cancer Center.
Providing pinpoint accuracy in the treatment of cancer
tumors through state-of-the-art radiation therapy, patients
now have access to SmartBeam Intensity Modulated Radiation
Therapy (IMRT) right in the Blue Water Area.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than half
a million people in the United States are expected to die
of cancer each year. At Mercy Hospital, officials hope to
curb that statistic by offering this advanced cancer treatment.
Improved chances of cure are being provided through the
utilization of a software system capable of delivering IMRT,
the most precise and sophisticated treatment in the world.
Clinicians at the Mercy Regional Cancer Center have begun
using the new system to treat patients with prostate and
breast cancers; and within the year: head and neck, lung,
pancreatic and other cancers where precisely placed beams
can be focused to carefully target tumor cells without harming
surrounding healthy tissue.
“Radiation therapy is used today in more than half
of all cancer treatments due to its unique clinical advantages,”
comments Kanu Dalal, MD, Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist.
Dr. Dalal was clinically trained at Harper Hospital (currently
known as Karmanos Cancer Institute).
“Radiation Therapy is becoming steadily more effective
with new technologies that permit ultra-precise dose delivery,”
he continues. “Mercy is equipped with these capabilities
that our highly-trained clinical staff will use for treating
cancer with laser-like precision. Mercy now has the potential
to substantially improve both patient comfort and cure rates
by protecting healthy tissue while delivering more powerful
doses of radiation to the tumor.
“Enhancing the dose concentrations to the tumor gives
us a much greater chance of completely eradicating the tumor,
rather than simply causing regression.” Dr. Dalal
explains.
“Cancer cells are fast replicating by nature, so any
damage to the genetic structure of these cells by radiation
is incredibly powerful,” he explains. “In addition,
increased contouring (or optimization) enables us to use
radiation to treat areas that would have been considered
too risky just a few years ago.”
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| Offering the one room where cancer
cannot escape, Mercy Regional Cancer Center’s
Linear Accelerator rotates for maximum treatment. |
A key element of this project is Mercy’s medical
linear accelerator. A multimillion dollar investment a few
years ago, this machine stands approximately nine feet tall.
It generates high energy X-rays by using microwave energy
to accelerate electrons to nearly the speed of light. As
the electrons reach maximum speed, they collide with a metal
target to release photons (or X-rays). The accelerator rotates
around the patient to deliver the radiation treatments from
nearly any angle.
Mercy’s linear accelerator is also outfitted with
an important accessory called a multi-leaf collimator. This
device, which has computer-controlled mechanical “leaves”
or “fingers” is used to shape the beam of radiation
so that it conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the
tumor.
“To launch the new system, the Mercy Regional Cancer
Center will focus treatment on prostate cancer patients,”
continues Dr. Dalal, “and will provide this advanced
treatment to additional cancer patients in the coming months.
Staff and clinicians have participated in extensive training
and treatment simulations to ensure our patients are receiving
the best treatment possible.”
The Mercy Regional Cancer Center was named best in cancer
care by the Commission on Cancer of the American College
of Surgeons upon recertification for three-years as a Community
Hospital Cancer Program.
Mercy has been providing advanced cancer services to the
community for nearly a quarter of a century, was the first
in the community to bring cancer treatment to patients on
a local basis and is the only cancer center in the area
that provides access to radiation therapy.
“Cancer treatments at Mercy are so advanced,”
concludes Dr. Dalal, who also serves as Co-Chair of the
Mercy Cancer Committee, “that we can provide services
most often found at larger metropolitan cancer centers,
including access to clinical cancer research trials for
the medical treatment of cancer. What’s more, through
Mercy Hospital’s radiation therapy department, I can
offer same-day consultations for patients newly diagnosed
with cancer, putting them on a care plan immediately for
prompt treatment.”
To find out more about the extensive cancer care programs
and services provided through the Mercy Regional Cancer
Center, visit the cancer center section of this website.
Or, talk to your doctor today about cancer care that’s
close to home.
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