INTRODUCING RAPIDARC:
A REVOLUTIONARY NEW CANCER TREATMENT
North
Coast Cancer Care is the first and only cancer center in the area
to offer treatments utilizing the very latest in radiation
technology. After the equipment was installed and tested, we
were able to begin utilizing RapidArc for treatment early this
year.
Why is this exciting? RapidArc offers a new form of image-guided
intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). An image guidance
system improves tumor targeting, and IMRT shapes the radiation
dose to match the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. During
the course of a single 360 degree rotation by the machine, a complete
IMRT treatment is delivered. The entire tumor volume gets its calculated
radiation dose during a single 360 degree revolution of the RapidArc
machine.
High doses of radiation have proven to be particularly effective
in killing cancer cells and shrinking tumors. Although some normal
cells are affected by radiation, most normal cells recover more
fully from the effects of radiation than do the cancer cells.
RapidArc uses photons (X-rays) to deliver treatment. The radiation
is generated by a medical linear accelerator. Very small beams
with varying intensities can be aimed at a tumor from multiple
angles. This results in attacking the target in a complete three-dimensional
manner. RapidArc beams can be as small as 2.5 x 5-millimeters.
That's the size of a pencil tip! The idea is to deliver
the lowest dose possible to surrounding healthy tissue while
still delivering the maximum dose to the tumor.
RapidArc treatment involves three basic steps: diagnosis, treatment
planning, and delivery. As part of the diagnosis, the medical team
generates three-dimensional diagnostic images (usually CT or MRI)
of the patientÕs anatomy and then uses these images to specify
the dose of radiation needed to treat the tumor.
Patients receive treatments according to a schedule. During a
RapidArc treatment, the linear accelerator rotates around the patient
to deliver the radiation from nearly every angle. Treatment consisting
of a complete 360-degree revolution takes less than two minutes,
although the first session might take longer so that additional
X-rays and checks might be performed. Pinpoint accuracy may be
further improved through the use of an integral X-ray imager. The
imager can be used by therapists to produce high resolution X-rays
of the targeted treatment area before treatment is delivered, enabling
the therapist to make sure the patient is in the optimal position
before delivering treatment.
 The main advantages of RapidArc are precision and speed. Treatments
focus the radiation on the tumor while protecting healthy tissues.
In addition, it is believed that faster treatments may also improve
accuracy. Since a patient spends less time holding still, it is
easier to avoid movements that can compromise the accuracy of the
treatment. Speed and accuracy also contribute to patient comfort.
At North Coast Cancer Care, our first priority is patient care.
That's why we continue to offer our patients the latest
and best technologies available in the treatment of their condition.
RapidArc technology represents another step in the fulfillment
of our ongoing mission. |
