Radiation targets tumour, spares tissue
New machines rotate 360 degrees around patients
One of three new, state-ofthe-art radiation machines is humming and spinning at the Cross Cancer Institute, radiating tumours with greater accuracy and speed while sparing healthy tissue.
The new linear accelerator delivers radiation in a continuous beam to the targeted area while it rotates around the patient 360 degrees. Because the radiation is delivered from many angles and doesn’t go through the same healthy tissue during the entire dose, skin, organs and tissue surrounding the cancer receive lower doses, reducing the risk of burns to the skin or other significant sideeffects.
The new technology may even allow patients to get higher doses of radiation once further research and clinical trials prove its safety and effectiveness. Edmonton’s Cross will get a second top model later this year and a third will go to Calgary’s Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Each machine costs $3 million, and another $1 million was required to retrofit each room with concrete walls and lead ceilings where necessary.
“We constantly have to replace these machines just as you would replace your car after a period of time,” said Dr. Paul Grundy, senior medical director and vice-president of cancer care for Alberta Health Services.
The new machine replaces one that had operated since 1991.
“It makes sense to replace it with an upgraded version,” Grundy said. “Think of the improvements in the quality, the comfort, the gas efficiency of that car today. Think of the new features you can get compared to 10 years ago, and that’s what we’re looking at here.”
One other linear accelerator at the Cross was previously retrofitted to offer similar, targeted radiation from 360 degrees, said Shannon Eberle, assistant radiation therapy manager. But it had to be manually moved to each new angle.
The new machine shoots one continuous beam based on an automated treatment plan tailored to each patient.