By Vivek Patel, MD
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are moving quickly and that’s great news for the healthcare industry. One example is the first Varian Ethos™ Adaptive Intelligence system, which is an AI-driven holistic approach that provides advanced radiotherapy cancer treatment.
At Holy Cross Health, we have been treating patients for disease throughout the body including the abdomen, pelvis and extremities with the Ethos system. The machine allows us to see changes in the anatomy during the course of treatment. Because of that we can target the tumor with a higher dose, and less dose to other organs, which also results in less side effects.
Healthcare systems will come to rely on AI more in the future, and in the case of ethos therapy, here is why healthcare systems can benefit:
Better outcomes: The Ethos system is a game-changer. Patients get an individualized plan that is 100% correct for their anatomy. In doing so, we can do a much better job of treating the tumor with less risk to organs surrounding the tumor. Because the procedure takes 10 to 12 minutes in the machine, unlike a MRI machine, patients are more comfortable during treatment.
Minimizing side effects: By identifying and administering the targeted radiation to the tumor in real time, the treatment has less effect on healthy tissue, particularly in cases where the tumors are close to the bladder, bones, bowel and other critical structures. We can cure the disease with minimal risk to those organs and minimize side effects.
Convenience and efficiency: The Ethos system allows for adaptive planning in a rapid fashion. That means less down time, which is great for the patient, but it is also efficient for hospitals. By increasing the capability, flexibility and efficiency of radiotherapy, we can treat more patients than before.
The technology: We all want to have happy, comfortable, healthy patients. To do that we have a standard of care based on evidence and data. Advancements in technology continue so it is us up to all of us to embrace it, particularly since technology is available in all areas of medicine.
Education and awareness: Patients want to be treated close to home. They don’t want to travel out of state to get their treatments if they can get the highest quality care and access to state-of-the-art technology right here. Because of the advancements and investments and healthcare systems like Holy Cross Health are making in technology and treatment, patients don’t need to go out of the area or the state to get the services they need.
This is a transformational moment for cancer care. Adaptive therapy is the future of personalized radiation therapy and a significant win for patients and hospitals.
Dr. Vivek Patel, radiation oncologist, is Medical Director at the Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Health. For more information, visit holy-cross.com.
