St. Joseph Hospital’s integrated radiation therapy systems include the latest in innovative equipment. These include:
Linear Accelerator
One of the newest technologies available is the linear accelerator. It is a computerized system that precisely controls the high-energy x-ray beam so that it conforms to the shape of the tumor. By targeting the tumor’s shape and volume with radiation, damage to surrounding healthy tissue is minimized. The linear accelerator can treat tumors that were unreachable any other way just a short time ago.
The Center’s three linear accelerators are high-performance systems. They provide dynamic treatment control; the greatest number of energy options to treat the widest range of patients; the most precise targeting and the highest dose rates across the energy spectrum.
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Trilogy
The new Trilogy system at The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at St. Joseph Hospital combines imaging and treatment technologies. This latest generation linear accelerator is used to deliver a wide range of external beam radiotherapies: 3D conformal radiotherapy, IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy. |
Advanced imaging capabilities built into the system allow therapists to position patients for treatment with unparalleled, pinpoint accuracy. The system even compensates for any tumor movement that occurs as a patient breathes.
The powerful Trilogy system can deliver stereotactic radiotherapy doses at least 60 percent faster than conventional linear accelerators, thereby decreasing the length of time patients need to spend undergoing treatment. In addition, the radiation beam is highly precise, allowing clinicians to deliver treatments with unprecedented accuracy. This allows even small lesions to be treated quickly, easily and effectively, while simultaneously reducing the traditional side effects of the patient’s treatment.
On Board Imaging and Cone Beam CT
On Board Imaging, a new technology, uses three different methods of imaging to form a picture of the tumor. One of these methods is a Cone Beam CT scan, which forms a three-dimensional, 360° image before radiation treatment.
These detailed images allow the Radiation Oncology team to see the exact shape of the tumor once the patient is on the treatment table. This means that the patient (and most importantly, the tumor) is in the exact position necessary, and remains on the same machine throughout the treatment.
Multileaf Collimators on all three of the Center’s Linear Accelerators
The Multileaf Collimator fits on the head of the linear accelerator, and is made up of 120 computer-controlled tungsten leaves that can be shifted by the radiation therapist to form a pattern. The tungsten leaves block the radiation, allowing it to pass through only to the area to be treated. This feature makes the linear accelerators extremely precise, capable of delivery the appropriate amount of radiation to a very small area. By targeting cancer cells so precisely, more surrounding normal, healthy tissue is spared.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT):
- IMRT is the most precise form of targeting the cancer with radiation therapy and has revolutionized radiation treatment.
- The radiation beam’s intensity is modulated in a precise way to make the dose closely conform to the shape of the tumor.
- As the dose is precisely conformed, it allows the physician to deliver a higher dose to the tumor with significantly less surrounding tissue toxicity.
- This ability improves the quality of life for patients because it reduces side effects from radiation and leads to a better outcome of tumor control.
- The treatment planning and delivery process is highly involved and performed with very sophisticated treatment planning computers utilizing three-dimensional CT, PET/CT and MR images of the patient and computer-controlled radiation beam delivery.
- At St. Joseph Hospital, one of the most technically advanced forms of IMRT technology, “SmartBeam IMRT,” is used to deliver radiation with high precision.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT/Adaptive IGRT):
- IGRT is one of the new technical innovations in radiation therapy.
- During radiation therapy the patient or internal organs may move. This movement can make it possible to miss the tumor. Patients can also lose weight while in therapy which can alter the dose being delivered.
- At. St. Joseph Hospital, IGRT technology is performed using cone-beam CT (3D image of the patient) mode or radiographic mode to clearly see the anatomical details or markers placed in the target. Image Analysis is performed and shifts are made (as small as 2mm) before treatment to deliver radiation with pinpoint precision with a combination of IMRT/IGRT.
- These capabilities enable the clinicians to deliver high-quality radiation which improves tumor control probability and quality of life for patients.
Eclipse Treatment Planning System
The Eclipse Treatment Planning System is an integrated, computerized system which allows the radiation oncology team to efficiently and effectively plan the best course of treatment. The Eclipse System creates 3D images of the tumor and internal organs, assists in calculating treatment plans, and accurately calculates dose distributions for photons, electrons, protons and brachytherapy. This allows the St. Joseph Hospital radiation oncology team to compare and quickly evaluate different treatment options and decide on the most effective course of treatment for each patient.
ARIA Computer Management System
ARIA is a comprehensive information and image management system that manages patient information into a single, organized, oncology-specific medical chart. ARIA's electronic medical record (EMR) effectively manages treatment for patients undergoing radiation therapy.
ARIA enables informed treatment decisions by delivering information from the pharmacy, laboratory, pathology, radiology and St. Joseph Hospital Information Systems.
On-demand access to oncology-specific patient information and images streamlines clinical workflow. ARIA incorporates image processing and review tools to support today's image-based radiation treatment techniques. The system supports the entire clinical process for medical oncology practices and comprehensive cancer centers, including the development and management of complex clinical trials.