Queen of the Valley Medical Center announced today it installed a new Canon
Medical Aquilion Large Bore computed tomography (CT) simulator specifically
designed to increase comfort and enhance quality of care for patients
in need of radiation treatments.
“We are proud to offer the latest technology to our patients,”
said Larry Coomes, Chief Executive. “Our mission is to ease the
way for our patients and our hope is that this new technology makes a
difference in the lives of our patients who need to undergo radiation
as part of their cancer treatment.”
The simulator is a specialized CT scanner that allows radiation therapists
to place oncology patients in the optimal treatment position. It takes
pictures in slices of bones, tissue and blood vessels which are then used
to “map” the area of the body that needs treatment. This process
is called “simulation” because the treatment is not actually
being administered.
The simulator’s 4D acquisition mode allows the series of images to
coincide with the respiratory cycle which helps care providers visualize
internal movement of the tumor and organs. When coupled with the treatment
planning system software, the physicians can plan their treatment fields
virtually.
“Tumors move with the patient’s breath,” said James Knister,
MD, radiation oncologist at Queen of the Valley. “This new feature
provides us with an additional way to capture the location and movement
of the tumor and the movement of organs over time. This is especially
valuable for tumors located on or near organs that move, such as those
in the chest.”
In the past, oncologists accounted for the tumors movement by creating
slightly wider margins or guiding the patient through breathing techniques
during the scan. This new feature provides the care team with an additional
way to narrowly target the tumor with radiation and avoid healthy tissue.
In addition, the new CT simulator features a 90cm bore (or opening)—20cm
wider than the model it is replacing. This wider bore increases access
and comfort for patients, especially those who are claustrophobic or need
more room, and matches the size of the linear accelerator which administers
treatment. The table itself can also be lowered closer to the floor, easing
the way for elderly patients and those with physical limitations. For
clinicians, the wider diameter makes it easier to optimally position the
patient for treatment.
“It gives us additional options for positioning patients for the
simulation. For example, patients who need radiation treatment for breast
cancer have room to place their arms over their head, or patients who
need radiation for gynecological cancers can easily lay in a frog legged
position,” said Dr. Knister.
The new CT simulator is just one way Queen of the Valley is enhancing cancer
care locally. This hospital is in the process of installing a second linear
accelerator that will use the 4D images produced by the new CT simulator
to perform stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for cancer patients
who would benefit from this type of treatment. SBRT is a radiation treatment
that allows care providers to treat a small area in the body with radiation
in less time and less appointments. For more information about Queen of
the Valley’s cancer services, visit TheQueen.org/cancer.