Northside expanding cancer program with new MRI-guided radiation therapy
1/06/2023, Northside
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute has begun the installation of new technology that combines MRI with radiotherapy to treat tumors and cancers, including prostate, pancreas, liver and lung.
The ViewRay MRIdian® MRI-guided radiation therapy system is the first in Georgia and will be located at the radiation oncology center on the Northside Atlanta campus. The new service should be available by the end of February 2023.
"As a leader in cancer care in Georgia, we are excited to add the MRIdian system to our treatment services for cancer patients, particularly those patients who may not have had viable treatment options," said Dr. Ajaykumar Patel, radiation oncologist at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
MRI-guided radiotherapy represents an advance in the field of radiation oncology. As a patient breathes or swallows, the tiniest movement can affect the position of a tumor. Making sure radiation therapy treatment hits a moving target can be challenging.
The new radiation therapy system is unique in that it has a built-in MRI, which can capture multiple images every second. This allows specialists to track tumors and surrounding critical structures in real time and quickly compensate for any movement during treatment to more accurately and effectively target therapy.
"The system will allow us to practice personalized and precision medicine and continue to lead the way with cutting-edge technology in the metro Atlanta area,” added Dr. Patel.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is one of the largest community cancer networks in the nation, and it offers more radiation oncology centers and advanced radiation therapy treatment units than any other hospital system in Georgia. In addition to the MRIdian, Northside is home to Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery and is among the top 15% of Gamma Knife programs in the nation.
Read more about radiation therapy at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
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