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MVH BEGINS IMAGE GUIDED RADIATION
THERAPY TO ENHANCE CANCER TREATMENT SERVICES
Monongahela Valley Hospital is continuously evolving and
refining the oncology services delivered at its Sweeney-Melenyzer
Regional Cancer Center by continually instituting effective
and technologically advanced cancer treatments for residents
of the region. At MVH, Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
is the latest front line approach in battling cancer.
This is a cutting edge ultrasound-based technology called
Image Guided Radiation Therapy allowing radiation oncologists
to use greater precision in tumor localization before the
delivery of radiation therapy. The specific piece of equipment
used is called BAT? (B-mode Acquisition and Targeting) which
provides increased image sensitivity with greater tissue
contrast resolution for easy to read quality images. The
ultrasound probe and a 3-D tracking system with a touchscreen-based
treatment room interface, combine to pinpoint targets rapidly
and accurately at the time of a radiation therapy treatment.
The high performance BAT? system is an excellent way to
view and target internal organs. It promotes increased accuracy
during patient positioning and enhances safety in providing
a more concentrated dosage to the affected area during treatment.
IGRT accurately shows the real-time location of the intended
target. From time to time, targets, such as the prostate,
can move depending upon certain situations and can change
position from day to day. The prostate position may vary
depending on several factors. Current bladder volume, gas,
fullness of rectum, coughing or even laughing can change
the position. Once the target is located, the BAT? system
allows the radiation oncologist to fine tune the patient
position by providing information necessary for accurate
positioning.
Mohsen A. Isaac, M.D., Medical Director of Radiation Oncology
at MVH says, “Image Guided Radiation Therapy is a
very effective treatment that provides a hard-dose of radiation
to the affected area, it lowers the chances of damage to
healthy tissue and its accuracy allows intense radiation
to the target thus increasing the chances of a cure. Another
benefit of IGRT is that there is limited disruption for
the patient. There are virtually no limitations for the
patient either before or after the procedure and patients
are treated and released quicker,” Dr. Isaac said.
“The cutting-edge technology in radiation treatment
over the past 10 years has changed dramatically, it is a
new era for radiation procedures and it is providing better
outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Isaac.
MVH’s Inpatient Oncology Unit and its Sweeney-Melenyzer
Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center provide high-quality
and compassionate care to its cancer patients.
Comprehensive oncology services include medical oncology,
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology and
surgical services. The Sweeney-Melenyzer Pavilion is located
on the MVH hospital campus. MVH’s Cancer Program is
in select company with its certification by the American
College of Surgeons. For more information, call 724-258-3040.
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