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Cancer Center First to Offer Accuboost Technology in NJ
Image-guided, non-invasive radiation benefits breast cancer patients
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first cancer treatment facility
in the state of New Jersey to offer its breast cancer patients Accuboost
radiotherapy technology, an image-guided, non-invasive form of treatment
using technology from Nucletron. The accuracy and non-invasiveness of
AccuBoost allows early stage breast cancer patients who have undergone a
lumpectomy to retain more undamaged breast tissue, thus making a significant
difference in patient outcomes. Accuboost is also up to 50 percent more
accurate than standard breast radiotherapy.
"AccuBoost uses real-time mammography to localize the treatment," says
Clarissa Henson, MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology at Trinitas. "This
technology is far superior to the current standard of care treatment. On
average, only 51 percent of the treatment area receives 90 percent of the
dose when using the current standard of care. With AccuBoost and
image-guidance, targeting is improved and a more effective dose of radiation
is delivered to the tumor site."
AccuBoost is a novel, non-invasive image-guided breast radiation
brachytherapy. By allowing doctors to see the site where cancer was removed
and to treat the surrounding breast tissue area more effectively, Accuboost
targets the extent of the disease and specifically treats the infected
tissues. In this way, it identifies areas where cancer might likely reoccur
if left untreated.
The image-guided feature of AccuBoost allows for the visualization of the
tumor bed directly as the breast is immobilized and compressed through
mammography. Imaging of the lumpectomy cavity is the first step in the
accurate delivery of therapeutic radiation. The second and third steps
involve delivery of radiation vertically and horizontally.
The Accuboost system takes the guess work out of radiation therapy by
providing a simple accurate method for accurate boost dose targeting. The
technology is able to position the applicator so that it delivers the
therapeutic dose accurately and reliably, with limited radiation dose to the
skin. "The Accuboost dose is uniform over the portion of the breast that is
being irradiated," explains Dr. Henson. "Focused homogenous doses free of
hot spots or cold spots reduce unnecessary exposure of healthy tissue to
radiation."
"Accuboost allows patients to see the area that is being treated," Dr.
Henson continues. "Since the diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most
traumatic for any woman, being able to see treatment as it is delivered
through this new technology helps patients be informed and involved in their
care."
Lydia Huertas of Union, New Jersey, one of the first Accuboost patients at
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, praises her patient experience. "I
love Dr. Henson. I am very comfortable with her and I trust her and Trinitas
to give me excellent treatment."
"In a few short years, Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center has brought
significant innovation to the patients it serves in the Central New Jersey
region," emphasizes Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center. "It was the first cancer
treatment center in New Jersey to offer Rapid Arc™ radiotherapy technology,
a fast and precise form of treatment using advanced technology from Varian
Medical Systems. Now they are first with AccuBoost, another clear example of
why Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is a regional leader in cancer
care."
Nucletron, a knowledge-based world-wide leader in Radiation Oncology working
with clinical teams to realise innovative solutions that improve patient
care, has its world headquarters in The Netherlands.
