New Cancer Treatment Technology at Stephenson Cancer Center Offers Patients More Precise, Comfortable Radiation Therapy
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Cancer patients in Oklahoma now have access to more precise, faster and more comfortable radiation treatments with the installation of a new leading-edge radiation therapy system at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center.
Called the Accuray Radixact System, this advanced technology allows doctors to target tumors with increased accuracy while better protecting healthy tissue, potentially reducing side effects and treatment times for patients, often with more comfortable treatment and fewer visits.
The Radixact System is a non-invasive treatment option developed to deliver image-guided intensity-modulated (IG-IMRT) radiation therapy, an extremely precise form of radiation therapy. The system provides continuous delivery of radiation from multiple 360-degree rotations around the patient, which increases the control doctors have in targeting the radiation and helps to minimize the dose to surrounding healthy tissue.
Sophisticated imaging technology is built into the way the Radixact System delivers radiation, giving clinical teams the ability to clearly see the shape and location of the patient’s tumor anywhere in the body in real time before each treatment session.
"Every advancement in cancer treatment technology means new hope for our patients," said Stephenson Cancer Center radiation oncologist Dr. Jerry Jaboin, M.D., PhD, MBA, FACRO, professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. "With the Radixact System, we can offer more patients access to precise, personalized treatment plans that fit their specific needs while minimizing disruption to their daily lives. Stephenson Cancer Center is the only facility in Oklahoma bringing this world-class cancer treatment close to home for Oklahoma patients and their families.”
For patients with tumors in challenging locations, such as the lungs or near critical organs, the system's advanced imaging and ability to track tumors in real-time and automatically adjust treatment to account for even small changes in tumor size or patient movement means more precise treatment with less impact on surrounding healthy tissue. This is particularly important for patients who previously had limited treatment options due to tumor location or complexity. This new technology can target tumors more accurately, leading to the ability to treat a wider range of cancers and develop personalized treatment plans that adapt to changes in the patient’s condition.
Stephenson Cancer Center is also just the second hospital in the nation to treat patients with surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) using the Radixact System with VitalHold. SGRT is designed to help medical care teams to effectively position the patient and confidently monitor the accuracy of that positioning throughout treatment.
During treatment with SGRT, high resolution cameras continuously monitor a patient's breathing and position in real-time to create a 3-dimensional map of a patient's skin. The image enables medical care teams to easily visualize the difference between the current body position and the target position, helping to ensure the patient is appropriately positioned when radiation is delivered.
“Stephenson Cancer Center is committed to helping patients on their journey to gaining control over their cancer,” said Dr. Jaboin. “We use advanced technology to provide customized, precise treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. Our aim is to effectively control the cancer while minimizing the impact of the treatment on patients’ daily lives.”
For more information about radiation therapy options at Stephenson Cancer Center, including the Radixact System, call (405) 271-3402 or visit StephensonCancerCenter.org to schedule a consultation.