Nylen Cancer Center Introduces the Latest Technology in Radiation

Nylen Cancer Center Introduces the Latest Technology in RadiationTrueBeam™ is an advanced image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system used to treat cancer with speed and accuracy. TrueBeam's sophisticated software and respiratory tracking system confirms the exact location of the tumor or area to be treated, track its movement while breathing and protect nearby organs and healthy tissue from unnecessary radiation.The TrueBeam system was designed by Varian Medical Systems to treat cancer anywhere in the body where radiation treatment is indicated, including the lung, breast, prostate and head and neck.The TrueBeam system rotates around the body to deliver radiation therapy from nearly any angle. The treatment beam can be aimed at a tumor or specific area from multiple angles to hit the target in a complete three-dimensional manner. In fact, TrueBeam’s treatment beam can be delivered with submillimeter accuracy and varying intensity.“The idea is to deliver the lowest dose possible to the surrounding healthy tissue, while still delivering the maximum dose to the target,” says Radiation Oncologist Dr. Naden.Speed and precision are the hallmarks of the TrueBeam system:

•  It can deliver treatments up to 75 percent faster than other advanced radiation machines.
• Automation results in up to a five-fold reduction in the steps needed for imaging, positioning and treating patients.
• A standard intensity-modulated treatment would typically take 10 minutes. With TrueBeam, it can be done in less than two minutes.
• Complex radiosurgery typically takes 40 minutes to an hour. With TrueBeam it can be completed in 5-20  minutes.
• RapidArc® technology in TrueBeam can mean treatment times as short as 1 minute.
• The system performs accuracy checks every 10 milliseconds throughout an entire treatment.
• The precision of a TrueBeam system is measured in increments of less than 1 millimeter.
• More than 100,000 data points are monitored continually during treatment to ensure safety.

The TrueBeam system can make the experience of receiving radiation therapy more comfortable. Most treatments take just a few minutes a day, which means less time on the treatment table and reduced motion during treatment.“The June E. Nylen Cancer Center is proud to offer this superior radiotherapy system to patients in Siouxland” says Karen VandeSteeg, Executive Director.  “Just another part of offering the best in cancer care.”