Radiation Oncology at YGBOI
Radiation Oncology at YGBOI includes:
- A CT scanner for treatment planning
- Medical Physics & treatment planning with a Dosimetrist
- A linear accelerator equipped with multi-leaf collimators
- On-board imaging capabilities and 3D/IMRT treatments
- Varian single database record and verify system (ARIA)
- High Dose Rate (HDR) system for treatment of surface and gynecological
treatments
Prior to 2008, Meadville Medical Center did not offer Radiation Therapy
to our community. When the Board of Directors and Administration made
the decision to open an Outpatient Cancer Treatment Facility; the decision
was also made to make it a Comprehensive Cancer Center, where patients
could receive Medical and Radiation Oncology treatments.
Radiation therapy is an essential component of standardized cancer treatment.
A linear accelerator is the machine that safely delivers the prescribed
dose of radiation to patients in need. Radiation therapy requires patients
to have multiple treatments for an extended period of time. Simulations
are performed with a CT scanner equipped with Tumor Localization software.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning is done
utilizing the radiation planning system. These treatments are delivered
using a linear accelerator which is equipped with on-board imaging capabilities.
Brachytherapy treatment plans are developed and performed utilizing an
HDR treatment system.
Our first Linear Accelerator was purchased in the fall of 2007; before
the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute had opened its doors. The delivery
of the ‘linac’ was on Saturday, December 1, 2007. The date
is easy to remember; as we knew the impact that machine would have on
our community. It would have been more economical to go with a basic linear
accelerator. But instead, we purchased the latest/greatest model on the
market. Prior to that, patients would have had to travel to Pittsburgh
or Cleveland to receive Radiation Therapy from such a complex machine.
The next several months were spent commissioning the new linear accelerator,
hiring experienced radiation staff, and opening the new department.
But that was 12 years ago, and after treating thousands of patients on
our machine, it is time to purchase a new one. Meadville Medical Center
remains committed to providing cancer care close to home, while having
access to state of the art cancer treatment.
The new Linear Accelerator will offer the same complexity as our existing
machine, and continued access to modern modalities such as SRS, but also
access to modern modalities such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) that may reduce treatment time for
many patients.