UPMC Cancer Centers’ Novel Treatment Approach Targets Lung Cancer Tumors in Motion
Using a new precise technique that combines image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) with respiratory gating to zero in on the tumor while adapting for breathing motion, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cancer Centers’ clinicians were able to successfully treat a lung cancer patient in her mid-fifties.
Such new tissue sparing procedure was made possible using advanced imaging and treatment technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) of Palo Alto, California.
This novel treatment procedure was specially designed by the UPMC medical team in order to protect the patient’s heart and esophagus as well as the healthy parts of the lung.
The Dynamic Targeting IGRT™ treatment was delivered using Varian’s powerful Trilogy™ linear accelerator equipped with an On-Board Imager™ for monitoring tumor motion and the RPM™ respiratory gating system for synchronizing beam delivery with the patient’s natural breathing cycle.
According to Dwight Heron, MD, vice chairman of clinical affairs, department of radiation oncology, UPMC Cancer Centers:
“We had to be concerned about compromising this patient’s ability to breathe. As a result, it was vitally important to minimize the exposure of radiation to the surrounding healthy lung tissue.”
Inflammation of the esophagus or healthy lung tissue is one of the typical side effects of a lung cancer treatment. This new procedure was able to reduce the risk of complications while increasing the chances of eradicating the tumor.
Read more at the full report.
Tags: IGRT, lung-cancerRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Lung cancer, ~ General Comments ~
0 opinions for UPMC Cancer Centers’ Novel Treatment Approach Targets Lung Cancer Tumors in Motion
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: