WVCI First In Lane County To Offer TrueBeam Radiotherapy -04/03/23

Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center on the Forefront of Cancer Treatment with the TrueBeam^® Radiotherapy System from Varian 

Medical Systems

Fast, powerful, accurate technology enables an advanced standard of precision in cancer treatment

 

Eugene, OR., April 3, 2023 — In a promising development for cancer patients in Lane County, Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center (WVCI) announced today that it has begun treating patients on a newly acquired TrueBeam® radiotherapy system. The first of its kind in Lane County, the TrueBeam expands options, especially for complex cancer cases.

 

“Thanks to our great team, the machine runs flawlessly. It allows us to treat some patients, such as those with very small brain tumors, that we otherwise would not be able to treat at WVCI.” – Dr. Merideth Wendland, M.D.

 

Enhanced Precision 

TrueBeam® technology was engineered to deliver powerful cancer treatments with speed and pinpoint accuracy measured in millimeters. The system targets tumors with tremendous precision made possible by synchronizing imaging, beam shaping, and dose delivery. As a patient is lying stationary, the linear accelerator moves smoothly and quietly around them delivering a pain-free treatment while performing accuracy checks every ten milliseconds to ensure extreme precision.

 

Faster Treatment

The TrueBeam system integrates state-of-the-art imaging, “intelligent” automation, and motion management technologies to deliver treatments more quickly while monitoring patient beathing and compensating for tumor motion during treatment to reduce dose to healthy tissues.

 

In many cases, patients can be in and out of the cancer center in as little as 20 minutes per day over a course of treatment. Simple treatments that once took 15 minutes or more once the patient was positioned for treatment can be completed in less than two minutes. “The TrueBeam allows us to treat some patients much more quickly, making radiation easier to tolerate.” – Dr. Wendland

 

What does this mean for patients in our community?

TrueBeam® can be used for many forms of advanced treatments such as image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), RapidArc® radiotherapy technology and Gated RapidArc. Once only available at larger institutional settings, WVCI has brought options like these closer to home for patients in the Willamette Valley.

 

At WVCI, the TrueBeam joins a Varian Halcyon® (acquired in 2021) and Trilogy® as part of a suite of radiotherapy options available. Each machine has its own specific attributes and treatment advantages for certain types of clinical situations.  “Along with our two other machines, the Trilogy and Oregon’s first Halcyon, we are able to offer the most advanced, precise, and accurate radiation treatments possible.” – Dr. Wendland

 

The radiation oncology department at WVCI is led by doctors Emily Dunn, M.D., Thomas Sroka, M.D., and Merideth Wendland, M.D. The practice has recently added Nurse Practitioner Cierra Hibbs-Porter-Rogge, and Chief Radiation Therapist Tami Ting to their compassionate, experienced, and highly skilled radiation oncology team. 

 

“Willamette Valley Cancer Institute is investing in the technology and people that can make an immediate impact on a patient’s (treatment) experience and health outcome. ”  – Stephen Baron, Executive Director

 

The Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center is a member of the US Oncology Network of over 1,200 independent physicians, dedicated to delivering exceptional, individualized care to patients – close to home in Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Florence, Lincoln City, and Newport, Oregon. As part of the Network community, we share expertise and resources to advance local cancer care and deliver better patient outcomes. WVCI also participates in clinical trials through Sarah Cannon Research  Institute, which has played a role in more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies, approximately one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date.

 

For more information on radiation therapy please visit www.oregoncancer.com/radiation-therapies

 

For more information on Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center please visit www.oregoncancer.com