KentuckyOne Health invests in technology to improve cancer patient care

Innovative treatment to help patients in Lexington area

LEXINGTON (Feb. 28, 2017) – KentuckyOne Health Cancer Care at Saint Joseph Hospital has invested $3 million in radiation oncology technology to shorten treatment time, improve patient comfort and reduce side effects.

The centerpiece of the investment is a Versa HD™ accelerator, developed by Elekta. The Versa HD provides increased flexibility to treat a broad spectrum of tumors throughout the body. The system’s technology provides superior targeting to tumor size, shape and volume, enabling the treatment of highly complex cases that require extreme precision to protect other critical organs and tissue. The result is faster treatments and often shorter treatment schedules. Some early lung cancers require as few as 3 to 5 treatments.

Shortened treatment times can also improve patient comfort, particularly for older patients who may find it difficult to remain in one position over extended periods of time. Softer streamlined shapes and ergonomic features combine with low mechanical noise and ambient lighting effects to help create a confident and relaxed treatment environment. From enhanced patient safety features to greater environmental friendliness, Versa HD reflects carefully conceived design innovations while enabling expanded patient treatment capabilities.

The new radiation oncology technology also includes a new wide bore CT simulator that allows patients to be treated in more comfortable, but extremely stable, positions. This simulator shortens the prep time required for radiation treatment and gives the radiation oncology team a 4-D image to track in real time. Increased precision of radiation delivery decreases side effects caused by treatment.

In addition, a new Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) system helps control breathing during radiation delivery, helping protect the heart for some patients with left-sided breast cancers.

“We are thrilled to have these new tools at our fingertips,” said Jacqueline Matar, MD, radiation oncologist, KentuckyOne Cancer Care at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East. “The improved accuracy means we attack the tumor, minimize side effects and get patients back to their normal routine sooner.”

“We are committed to offering patients the most advanced treatments and best patient care,” said Brian William, MD, radiation oncologist, KentuckyOne Cancer Care at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East. “The Versa HD, new CT simulator, and ABC system allow us to be more efficient, but most importantly more effective.”

These new technologies are now available to patients throughout the Lexington region.

To learn more about KentuckyOne Health Cancer Care, visit http://www.kentuckyonehealth.org/lexingtoncancercare, or call 859.277.3737.