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.