New State-of-the-Art Radiation Oncology Facility Keeps Saint John’s at Forefront of Cancer Treatment

Saint John’s Department of Radiation Oncology is currently putting the finishing touches on a brand new facility featuring the latest in cutting-edge cancer treatment.

Opening in 2004, the state-of-the-art outpatient facility will be located on the south campus at the corner of 21st Street and Santa Monica Boulevard and feature the most technically advanced radiation therapy treatments and equipment available to treat such common cancers such as breast, prostate, lung, head and neck cancers, as well as brain tumors.

“The new department space is adjacent to the main hospital, and is designed as a free-standing outpatient facility,” says Robert Wollman, M.D., medical director of Saint John’s Radiation Oncology. “It will be more convenient for patients by offering easy access and ample, nearby parking.”

Saint John’s radiation oncology department will boast progressive new technology that will enable patients to receive the latest advances in radiation therapy.

“We are installing new radiation treatment equipment that will generate higher, more precise doses of radiation that can be delivered in a shorter period
of time to enhance treatment of tumors and reduce side effects,” says Dr.
Wollman.

“We will treat cancer patients in as little as five minutes, instead of the 20 to 30 minutes required with older machine,” he said.

The new Varian Clinac 21EX Platinum accelerator can deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and may be used with the B-mode acquisition and targeting system (BAT), both already in use in Saint John’s radiation oncology department.

IMRT is a noninvasive, radiation-based therapy used to destroy cancerous growths with a minimum amount of damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In IMRT, a linear accelerator rotates around the patient’s body, delivering thousands of tiny, precise beams, or “beamless,” of radiation to the tumor.

As the linear accelerator moves around the patient, these beamless are rapidly opened or closed under computer control, resulting in decreased radiation dose to normal tissues and a much higher dose of radiation to the targeted tumor.

The BAT ultrasound localizer uses ultrasound combined with robotic computer technology to precisely target the tumor’s exact location and eliminate the cancer. This is particularly important when treating prostate cancer, due to normal internal and external movement of the prostate gland.

The new linear accelerator also features a Respiratory Gating system that allows radiation oncologists to accurately monitor and compensate for tumor motion during treatment due to the effects of the patient’s breathing, or respiratory motion. This novel asset will improve treatment of breast, lung and liver tumors.

“Introducing such sophisticated technology into cancer treatment ensures more precise treatment and heightened protection of the patient’s other vital organs while undergoing radiation therapy,” says Wollman.

“Our patients will receive leading edge care in a user friendly new facility – a win-win for everyone.”

For more information about Saint John’s Health Center contact Saint John’s at 310-829-5511 or visit the hospital’s website at http://www.stjohns.org