Fairview-University Medical Center has added a $2.6 million TomoTherapy unit to its arsenal in the high-tech fight against cancer. The new system enables the clinician to plan, verify and deliver treatment in one system, reducing patient treatment times as well as potential for errors.
TomoTherapy combines CT scan and radiation therapy. It is a precise system that delivers Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) with the highest accuracy available, making it possible to limit damage to healthy tissue while accurately targeting tumors. It uses CT imaging, allowing doctors to tailor a treatment plan with 3-D tumor mapping immediately prior to the radiation. Fairview-University is the only hospital in Minnesota to offer TomoTherapy.
Fairview began treating patients with TomoTherapy February 1st. The patient lies on a platform that moves continuously through a rotating ring. The ring delivers photon radiation in a 360 degree spiral rotation, hitting the tumor with high levels of radiation. TomoTherapy can adjust the size, shape and intensity of the radiation beam to conform to the specifics of the patient's tumor. Before each treatment, the doctor uses the CT scanner to re-examine the tumor and update the radiation targets as it shrinks, moves or changes shape.
The technology, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2002, can be used for many different types of cancer in both adults and children. It is generally covered by insurance.
