Jefferson hospitals provides fast and accurate radiation therapy technology

The radiation oncology Department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is now treating cancer patients with a State-of-the-art VMAT technology based on the most accurate dose calculation algorithm, the treatment delivery time dramatically reduced.

VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy) is a new generation of arc treatment technology, the new standards for handling speed and dose conformity of. Elekta's VMAT, Jefferson doctors can provide single or multiple radiation beam in continuous Arc(s) to the patients sweep, this reduction in treatment of the conventional eight to 12 minutes, as little as two minutes.

Radiation dose is planning with Monaco, Monte-Carlo treatment planning system with biological modeling and optimization of the limited sensitivity analysis performed. Monte Carlo algorithm is regarded as the most accurate dose calculation and is often used a gold-standard for the evaluation of the dose of the other calculation algorithms.

"VMAT provides the radiation oncologist is supplied the greatest freedom of choice regarding such as the optimal dose," Adam said Dicker, MD, PhD, Chairman and Professor of radiation oncology. "This will assign reached by a unique team approach with internationally at the same time all treatment parameters of digital control renowned medical physicists and doctors, to change the dose and the dose of imaging." "With the combination of VMAT and Monte Carlo, our patients receive almost daily treatments, exposure to surrounding healthy tissue minimize and maximize the dose to cancer."

"VMAT has the potential to take a treatment, more than eight weeks occur and to reduce to two to three weeks, would, Timothy Showalter, MD, Assistant Professor of radiation oncology and an expert on image guided therapy of prostate cancer"said.

Three-dimensional volume imaging technology integrated into the treatment planning system increases the accuracy of the VMAT. In this way, doctors can visualize the tumor target at the time of the treatment and the radiation just before the supply of the bar to lead.

"With the combination of VMAT and Monaco, clinician benefits such as the simultaneous optimization of several non-coplanar arches, added, allows for the greatest possible flexibility in dose delivery," said Amy Harrison, MS medical physics clinical supervisor. "Monte Carlo dose engine allows the continuous arc calculation rather than limited to approximations with discrete gantry is positions." "Biologically based optimization, which better target dose sparing, conformity and normal tissue is supported techniques a next-generation technology now available in our clinic by powerful Monte Carlo."

Source: Thomas Jefferson University