Trilogy System
State-of-the-Art Cancer Treatment in Meadville, PA
The Cancer Care Center at Meadville Medical Center (MMC) is dedicated to
providing the highest standard of advanced cancer treatment services.
The Trilogy Linear Accelerator from Varian Medical Systems is one of the
more advanced, sophisticated machines in the world.
The versatile Trilogy system can be used to deliver the widest range of
external beam radiotherapy for cancer treatments, including:
- 3D conformal radiotherapy
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
Advanced imaging capabilities built into the system allow therapists to
position patients for treatment with millimeter accuracy, making sure
the tumor is lined up precisely with the treatment beam before the beam
is turned on. A respiratory gating system takes into account the tumor
movement that can occur as a patient breathes.
How It Works
Prior to treatment, images of a patient's tumor and the surrounding
anatomy are generated (using MRI, CT or PET scanning), and clinicians
use this information, along with sophisticated analytical software programs,
to prepare a detailed treatment plan. The treatment plan specifies the
exact dose to be delivered to the tumor, as well as how the technology
can best deliver that dose, given the three-dimensional geometry of the
target and surrounding tissues.
When the patient arrives for treatment, clinicians use Trilogy's advanced
imaging system to confirm the exact tumor position relative the radiation
beam, and to make any needed adjustments before treatment begins. Some
treatments, primarily for small lesions and metastases, can be accomplished
in a single session, while other treatments require multiple sessions.
Clinic Benefits
Through more precise targeting of the beam, radiotherapy may become more
effective at treating disease while simultaneously reducing side effects
of the treatment. Due to the increased accuracy and power, smaller lesions
can be treated more easily and effectively.
The Trilogy system incorporates the ability to position the patient exactly,
using images of the tumor and surrounding anatomy taken just prior to
each treatment. The images are used to verify tumor position immediately
before the radiation beam is switched on. This care applied to treatment
accuracy means maximizing the dose to the tumor, and minimizing the dose
to surrounding healthy tissue. The respiratory gating system automatically
turns the beam off and on to compensate for breathing motion during treatment.
With respiratory gating, the beam is switched on only when the tumor is
within a known location. This keeps the radiation beam focused on the
tumor, and further protects normal healthy tissues.
The Trilogy system and its accessories can shape a beam very precisely,
with millimeter accuracy. In addition to the precision of its beam, Trilogy
offers the highest dose rates available, to deliver a potent punch of
radiation in a short amount of time. This combination of precision and
power allows Trilogy to reduce both treatment times and side effects.
A Whole-Person Approach
At the heart of the whole-person approach to health and wellness, the Yolanda
G. Barco Oncology Institute provides coordinated counseling and nutrition
consultations as well as stress reduction opportunities in the form of
art and music recreation therapy.
Also available are services that promote "whole body healing”—including
massage therapy, nutritional counseling, pain management and support groups.
Doctors say these lifestyle, behavior, diet, and overall wellness programs
will help patients be more proactive in their health and recovery. Learn
more about our Meadville hospital and cancer treatment center when you
call or visit today.