Medical linear accelerator (LINAC) is used to deliver pin-point external beam radiation to cancer cells
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Turner, Vice President, Public Relations
Cayuga Health
(607) 274-4498
September 11, 2020 Ithaca, New York –– Cayuga Health announced today that it has added a new LINAC – medical linear accelerator – machine to treat cancer by using high energy radiation to conform to a tumor’s shape while protecting surrounding normal tissue. This LINAC machine is state-of-the-art and is located in a newly constructed radiation addition.
“As the technology behind radiation therapy advances, the treatments for radiation are continuously being refined to be more precise” states Dr. Timothy Bael, Director of Oncology for Cayuga Health. “The new LINAC helps us make sure that every patient receives the same services. It is a very big investment in our program, from chemotherapy, immune or targeted therapy, we are proud of our integrated oncology approach.”
The patient comfortably lies on a moveable treatment couch and lasers are used to make sure the patient is in the proper position. The treatment couch can move in many directions including up, down, right, left, in and out. Radiation can be delivered to the tumor from many angles by rotating the gantry and moving the treatment couch.
“We are looking forward to offering this state-of-the-art technology to our cancer radiation patients,” states Dr. Martin Stallone, President and CEO of Cayuga Health. “Our original LINAC radiation machine is 15 years old. The new machine will give us additional features to help reduce side-effects, allowing the patients to better tolerate their intended treatment, and make them more comfortable.”
“This project signifies the commitment of Cayuga Health to make sure that cancer care is delivered in our community at the highest possible level,” stated Dr. John Powell, Radiation Oncologist, Cayuga Medical Center and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Cancer care is one of the most complicated types of health care that patients need, and it is often challenging for community hospitals to maintain the level of commitment that it takes to have comprehensive oncology and comprehensive radiation oncology care locally.”
Cayuga Health oncologists, in partnership with Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY work together to determine the appropriate treatment volume and dosage, the best way to deliver the prescribed dose and to calculate the amount of time it will take the accelerator to deliver that dose.
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About Cayuga Health
Cayuga Health (CH) has two hospitals, Cayuga Medical Center and Schuyler Hospital, as well as a multi-specialty group, Cayuga Medical Associates. Combined employment, including affiliated organizations, is over 2,200 employees. CHS is clinically linked to Mayo Medical Laboratories, Rochester Regional Health for cardiac services, Roswell Park for cancer services, and the University of Rochester for neurosciences.
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