The Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital is proud to announce the arrival and commissioning of state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment. The success of radiotherapy is dependent upon the ability to methodically create a safe and effective radiotherapy plan and thereafter ensure that treatment delivery is both accurate and precise. In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, highly trained, certified and experienced medical teams along with the finest equipment are necessary.
Radiotherapy begins with the CT simulation process. This step is done to help plan one’s radiotherapy by obtaining a CT scan that is used for subsequent treatment planning. Holy Cross Hospital’s CT simulator is being upgraded with further 4-D capability to help follow and track one’s breathing. This is particularly useful for treatment of thoracic malignancies. Furthermore, Holy Cross can utilize approaches such as breath hold for treatment of breast cancer.
Once a CT scan is ascertained, treatment planning ensues. Previous diagnostic information including scans such as MRI, CT, and PET/CT are uploaded and fused by Holy Cross Hospital’s physics and dosimetry team. At this time, the medical team reviews the imaging and utilizes software to contour or draw the tumor as well as the rest of the patient’s anatomy. The hospital is currently utilizing the treatment planning computer and electronic medical record systems of Pinnacle and Mosaiq for this purpose and are looking forward to the addition of the advanced systems of Eclipse and ARIA. The purpose of treatment planning is to ensure a plan that delivers curative doses of radiotherapy while minimizing side effects. Once a plan is reviewed and found to be optimal, Holy Cross will move on to the treatment delivery step.
As a complement to the established Elekta equipment, Holy Cross is currently in the process of installing the Varian True Beam linear accelerator for treatment delivery. Advanced treatment techniques such as volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS) will be delivered on this True Beam device. This machine will not only be the newest in the region, but also one of the most upgraded units in the country. As such, Varian, the radiotherapy company, even proposed utilizing the Holy Cross cancer center to showcase the innovative radiotherapy program. The hospital is also upgrading its brachytherapy units in order to provide not only traditional treatments for gynecological and genitourinary malignancies, but also the treatment of skin and gastrointestinal diseases. These resources will also provide an opportunity for more clinical trials at Holy Cross Hospital, which will have a unique department that supports both Varian and Elekta machines to ensure that patients receive individualized care and are treated on equipment that provide optimal and personalized treatment.