Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Philadelphia has announced the installation of the TomoHDA™ TomoTherapy machine. TomoTherapy combines an advanced form of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), with the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, all in one machine. With this advanced technology, the machine can provide powerful and precise radiation beams to treat hard-to-reach tumors. Not only is this technology more precise, it also cuts the patient treatment time nearly in half in most cases when compared to other forms of IMRT. This can increase treatment accuracy and also greatly improves patient comfort. This is particularly useful when a patient needs a second treatment cycle and the fields of radio therapy need to be accurately abutted to prior radiation treatments.
Using built-in CT scanning to confirm the shape and position of the tumor before each treatment to ensure accuracy, TomoHDA's TomoEDGE™ spares more normal tissue by reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs because of its sharper treatment field. Patients with all cancer types are able to benefit from this advanced technology, in a more accurate, faster and much more comfortable setting. This new machine also features a TomoHelical™ mode that allows patients preparing to receive a stem cell transplant to receive total body irradiation.
"The addition of the TomoHDA machine will allow us to deliver a precise, personalized radiation treatment to our patients in a comfortable environment," said Dr. David Suh, Radiation Oncologist at CTCA® in Philadelphia. "By sparing the healthy tissue around the tumor, we can reduce side effects because less radiation reaches healthy tissues and organs."
CTCA in Philadelphia is the first hospital in the region to offer the TomoHDA machine.
New research explores how omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may impact cancer rates