Dr. Darren Klish, a radiation oncologist at Lawrence Cancer Center, displays a mask used for stabilizing a patient during a stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011. Klish explained that the SBRT treatment is very precise in targeting tumors. Behind Klish is the center's accelerator, which is currently being replaced with a newer one. by Nick Krug
The Lawrence Cancer Center is getting a new multi-million-dollar machine that will reduce the amount of time patients have to undergo radiation treatments. It also will expand treatment options.
“It’s great to be able to provide state-of-the-art radiation in this community that’s as good as anywhere else,” said Dr. Darren Klish, radiation oncologist.
The Lawrence Cancer Center, which opened four years ago, is located next to Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s Oncology Center at 330 Arkansas St. It sees between 15 and 25 patients daily.
On Monday, these patients began traveling 30 minutes south to the center’s Ottawa location to receive treatments because of construction process which is expected to take eight weeks. The process involves dismantling the old accelerator and replacing it with a new one. These machines are about 8 feet long, 8 feet wide and 6 feet tall. Then, a medical physicist will examine the new machine to ensure it's working properly.
Klish said, “We are coordinating with the American Cancer Society and other drivers to help patients with the commute to Ottawa. We understand that it’s an inconvenience but at the same time we are bringing a great technology to Lawrence.”
The new machine — called an accelerator — will enable staff to give radiation treatments in 10 minutes to 12 minutes, instead of the current 15 minutes to 18 minutes. These treatments involve giving low doses of radiation to a large area on a daily basis for two to eight weeks.
Klish said the center also provides radiation surgery, which is a process where they provide high doses of radiation to a small area. These are done in one to five treatments that last about 40 minutes, but with the new machine they will take about 25 minutes.
The upgrade also will allow the center to expand radiation surgery treatments to include tumors on the spinal cord and liver. Currently, patients have to seek treatment elsewhere.
Lawrence Cancer Center is getting a new accelerator which will improve efficiency and expand treatment options. The process of obtaining the new machine is expected to take eight weeks because it includes dismantling the old one. Once the new one is put in place, a medical physicist will give it a thorough examination to ensure it is working properly. by Karrey Britt
Tagged: Lawrence Cancer Center, radiation oncology
Comments
toe 1 year, 2 months ago
Without the government forced health insurance, how will the hospital get paid?
Commenting has been disabled for this item.