March 14, 2014 at 1:41 p.m.
The ribbon is cut for the True Beam Accelerator
The ribbon is cut for the True Beam Accelerator
By Kayla Thomason-
The staff has been over the moon about the True Beam Accelerator and said it is very proud to be able to offer top-notch cancer treatment.
"We didn't think it could get any better and then we got trained on [the True Beam]," said Lynnette Fittante, a radiation therapist at the James Beck Cancer Center. "It really is marvelous."
The True Beam uses cone beam imaging (CBCT), KV or MV imaging. This offers clearer images and tighter margins around the tumor, allowing the doctors to be more precise in giving the maximum dose and sparing the surrounding tissue, Fittante said.
The True Beam rotates around the patient, offering the best positioning and coverage as possible.
Technology in the medical field is constantly evolving, so when deciding on a new machine they wanted one that would last 10 years.
"We felt that Varian, which is the vendor of this, has excellent longevity in oncology and radiation oncology and their track record has been so great that they are progressive and ongoing, they don't just make something and that's it, they keep going," said Kimberly Hetland, Medical Dosimetrist and manager in the cancer center.
The James Beck Cancer Center sees approximately 25 patients a day - 15 to 20 of them for daily treatments. Treatment visits vary anywhere between 10 and 45 sessions, Hetland said.
"There are patients within our community that chose to travel because they feel that they aren't going to get the very best care here, and quite honestly the machine and the capabilities is one of the best in the state," Hetland said. "There's very few [True Beams] in the state in fact, there's the four Ministry ones and a few others."
If the doctors think that a patient would benefit at another hospital they will look for one that would suit the patient's needs.
The James Beck Cancer Center has had the True Beam since Nov. 12.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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