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The TomoTherapy Hi-Art Treatment System is one of two available in SouthCarolina. The VA Medical Center and Hollings Cancer Center (HCC), both locatedin Charleston, S.C., collaborated to bring the advanced technology to patientsbecause of its ability to target tumors of all sizes throughout the body withexceptional accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
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"We are happy for the opportunity to partner with the VA to bring thistechnology to cancer patients," said Joseph Jenrette, M.D., Chair of MUSC'sDepartment of Radiation Oncology. "We consider it the most importantbreakthrough in radiation therapy in the past few years. It provides the mostaccurate treatment available for some cancers."
"TomoTherapy offers the latest cancer treatment technology to veterans andcitizens throughout the Lowcountry," said Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical CenterDirector John Barilich. "We are very pleased to bring this technology to SouthCarolina through our partnership."
TomoTherapy, currently used for tumors of the head and neck, brain,lung/chest wall, pancreas, lymph nodes, spine, prostate, abdomen, and rectum,augments sophisticated cancer treatment protocols both facilities offer. HCCcontinues to offer conventional radiation with the linear accelerator. Expertteams including physicians, physicists, and radiation therapists developtreatment protocols based on an individual patient's diagnosis.
TomoTherapy incorporates 3-D CT images to "paint" a tumor. A thin beamrotates 360-degrees around the body, delivering precise treatment whileavoiding surrounding tissue and organs. The use of CT imaging allows treatmentteams to evaluate the tumor daily and refine dosage as necessary, possiblyleading to new treatment protocols in which patients receive stronger dosesfor fewer days. Typically, patients receiving radiation therapy, viaTomoTherapy or conventional means, do so daily for 5-35 days. Physicians fromboth facilities are developing new protocols to enhance patients' quality oflife. In addition, the new technology offers advanced training for residentsand medical students in South Carolina and neighboring states.
SOURCE Medical University of South Carolina
