http://news.biocompare.com/newsstory.asp?id=116461
The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center now offers one of the most precise systems in the world to treat both cancerous and non-malignant tumors, making many operable that once were not.
By combining two state-of-the-art systems for advanced precision image-guided radiosurgery, the VCU Medical Center’s new Trilogy Image-Guided Treatment Center is now ready to treat patients.
Stereotactic radiosurgery specialists from the VCU Massey Cancer Center’s department of radiation oncology and VCU’s Harold F. Young Neurosurgery Center are the first to combine two powerful systems: Trilogy™, a premier linear accelerator made by Varian, and ExacTrac®, an advanced X-ray positioning system made by BrainLAB.
Together these systems enable doctors to visualize and target tumors within 0.4 millimeters of accuracy. The treatment’s accuracy may improve patient outcomes by enabling physicians to reach more tumors and treat them more effectively, including those located near blood vessels and other critical structures in the brain or spinal column. In addition, doctors can spare more healthy tissue around the tumors.
The non-invasive procedure is performed on an out-patient basis and provides a high degree of safety and comfort.
“Using the system’s robotics and sophisticated image guidance, we can verify the tumor’s exact position while on the treatment couch with unprecedented precision,” said William Broaddus, M.D., Ph.D., the team’s neurosurgery leader. “And the increased accuracy we have in brain radiosurgery also can be applied to the spine and other parts of the body.”
Because the system allows for precise, high doses, the length of treatment can be considerably shorter than with conventional radiation.
“This stereotactic radiosurgery can be delivered in a single dose instead of over several weeks,” said Ted Chung, M.D., Ph.D., of Massey’s radiation oncology team. “Side effects are minimal, and patients can get on with their lives sooner,” he added.
“While many technologies offer three-dimensional image guidance, our combined system offers a fourth dimension – it accounts for a patient’s breathing in real-time – so we can target the radiation beam to a fraction of a millimeter,” added Stanley Benedict, Ph.D., associate professor and chief of clinical physics.
Unlike other “non-invasive” treatments, the Trilogy and ExacTrac systems do not require doctors to screw frames into patients’ heads to immobilize them.
Initially the group will treat brain and spinal cord tumors, and later this year will treat other tumors and lesions of the breast, prostate and lungs. The multi-specialty clinical team consists of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and dosing experts, physicists, therapists and nurses. The procedure is covered by most health insurance.
The new combined systems and treatment suite enhance the existing stereotactic radiosurgery program, which was developed by the two departments in 1991 and since has treated more than 400 patients.
### Contact : Mr. Joe P. Kuttenkuler
Medical Center Bureau Chief
jpkutten@vcu.edu
804-828-6607
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