Franciscan St. Anthony Health unveils radiation equipment at new oncology center

CROWN POINT | Franciscan St. Anthony Health unveiled the latest weapon in the war on cancer Wednesday during a blessing and open house at its new Burrell Cancer Radiation Oncology Center.

The Trilogy Linear Accelerator, produced by California-based Varian Medical Systems, uses microwave technology to provide faster, more accurate and more effective treatment with fewer side effects, said Dr. Abdul Khan, medical director of radiation oncology.

Tumors both small as a pencil point or large and complex can be targeted by precise beams of radiation. The equipment is especially effective in treating brain tumors, Khan said.

When a patient breathes, a tumor can move, he said. Other radiation treatments may irradiate noncancerous tissue because of that movement.

The Trilogy pairs with a CT simulator to plan the treatment.

"At the time of the treatment, we can make very precise movements," Khan said. Trilogy's real-time vision system verifies patient positioning for radiation therapy and stereotactic radiation surgery, he said.

The system's clinical benefits also include the ability to reposition patients quickly, accurately and remotely.

Shorter treatment time is a major feature of the system, Khan said. Patients are on the machine's table for 10 to 15 minutes, and the beam is turned on and off for only a few seconds at a time.

"We can treat small areas with high doses of radiation without damaging surrounding tissue, and minimize side effects," he said. "The Trilogy is 60 times more powerful than other treatments."

Treatments using the Trilogy system will begin Monday.

Planning and construction of the specially-designed concrete bunker that houses the Trilogy system took two years at a cost of $6.5 million, said David Ruskowksi, president of Franciscan St. Anthony Health. Tonn and Blank Construction of Michigan City built the center.

The concrete structure is necessary because linear accelerators deliver high-energy radiation beams to the tumor in any part of the patient's body, Ruskowski said.