KCH Adds Cutting-Edge ‘TrueBeam’ Cancer Technology
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Dan Spalding-dspalding@timesuniononline.com
New technology that can more precisely and quickly target and eradicate cancer is now being used at Lutheran Health Network’s Kosciusko Community Hospital. The Warsaw hospital has been using TrueBeam technology since Dec. 19 and will celebrate its arrival with an open house at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cancer Care Center, 1520 Provident Drive. “This is truly the latest and greatest,” said Dr. Mark Ranck, a medical oncologist with KCH during a media presentation Monday at the care center. The new technology can be used on numerous types of cancer, but is designed to treat challenging cases involving the lung, breast, head and neck, according to a news release from Lutheran Health Network. The machine can deliver accurate, image-guided treatments in just a few minutes a day and allows clinicians to see the tumor prior to and during the treatment. With the new technology, patients are exposed to a smaller x-ray dose than previous imaging technology. In some cases, patients can now receive the same type of treatment that otherwise would require them to travel to Fort Wayne, Ranck said. Ranck said that while standard radiation treatments have a cure rate of about 50 percent for early forms of lung cancer, the new treatment will bring a cure rate of upward of 90 to 95 percent, Ranck said. Some of the other capabilities are being phased in. One feature will eventually allow doctors to see changes in the tumor by using a CAT scan during treatments. The machine also can detect movements in the tumor as it shrinks or shifts for various reasons. For instance, the prostate can move, depending on the amount of gas in the rectum or urine in the bladder, Ranck said. “It can shift quite a bit,” Ranck said. “A shift of a fifth of an inch may not seem like a lot to us, but when the treatments are that tightly aimed, it makes a big difference.” For lung cancer, TrueBeam can track the patient’s breathing pattern and attack the tumor when the lung moves into an anticipated position. The precision also helps avoid damaging areas near the tumor, he said. The shorter treatment times and quiet operation allow for a more relaxing environment. Patients are also in constant communication with staff and the system also includes an option for music. Thursday’s open house is open to the public.
