This year, 14.5 million children and adults with a history of cancer are alive in the United States (American Cancer Society). With a number that high, chances are that most everyone has been affected directly or indirectly by the disease.Treating thousands of cancer patients each year, Cleveland Clinic Florida is expanding and enhancing its cancer care facilities and programs to meet this growing need and provide the South Florida community, and those who travel here from around the world, with advanced cancer resources for both patients and their caregivers. The Maroone Cancer Center, currently under construction on the Weston campus, will support a robust set of programs that provide comprehensive cancer care services in one location.
Notably, the new cancer center will incorporate world-class technology like Varian Medical System’s Edge™, which puts Cleveland Clinic Florida at the forefront of treating complex tumors in a highly accurate fashion. The Edge will allow doctors to perform high-precision radiosurgery, a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgery, with enhanced accuracy, less patient discomfort and improved outcomes. Cleveland Clinic Florida is one of only five clinical education facilities to have this equipment installed in North America. Worldwide, there are only 20 Edge machines on order and under contract.
Accuracy & PrecisionThe Edge accurately targets tumors and other abnormalities without an incision or the need for recovery in a hospital setting. Its knifelike precision beam is designed for malignant and benign tumors of the brain, spine, lung, head, neck and other areas that are typically difficult or impossible to treat surgically. This is made possible by using a sophisticated treatment couch with six axis of motion, which enhances treatment precision by providing additional angles for targeting tumors.
The Edge system also monitors and compensates for patient motion through advanced imaging and real-time motion tracking technologies. The system incorporates sophisticated techniques to track tumor position in real time and adjust to even the slightest movements that could impact procedure accuracy, such as breathing for patients with lung or breast cancer. The system is equipped to alert clinicians if a patient has moved in a way that could compromise treatment accuracy.
Speed
In addition to the benefits of enhanced accuracy and precision, the Edge system can complete treatments in just a few minutes per day. Where complex radiosurgery typically takes 30 to 60 minutes or more, with the Edge system, the same procedures can usually be completed in less than 15 minutes. This is crucial, as studies have shown that with faster treatments, there is less time for tumor and patient movement, and both accuracy and side effect profiles are improved.
The Maroone Cancer Center will also incorporate other cutting-edge cancer care capabilities, such as:
• A state-of-the-art chemotherapy infusion suite designed to include the family in a healing environment;
• Complementary medicine – massotherapy, reiki, nutrition education, and art therapy – to address the “whole person” through a holistic approach to treatment; and
• A patient resource and education center that will serve as a vital resource for community efforts in prevention, early detection, education, outreach and support.
Cleveland Clinic Florida’s new cancer center will give cancer patients unprecedented access to life changing treatment without having to travel outside of South Florida. The new Edge technology safely enhances accuracy and precision in radiosurgery, monitors for patient motion during the procedure, and dramatically reduces procedure time – all benefits that can improve patient outcomes and ultimately help lower health care costs.
