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Advanced technology puts patients first:
Coborn Cancer Center introduces image-guided radiation therapy
From Spotlight on Health Aug./Sept. 2006
Patients receiving radiation from the new Elekta
Synergy S linear accelerator experience fewer
side effects because of the machine’s accuracy.
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Radiation oncologist Barbi Kaplan-Frenkel, D.O., was exploring new job opportunities several years ago. She knew she wanted to join a group of highly skilled professionals at a cancer center that was committed to emerging technology, expanding patient services, using her training and experience and always placing patients first.
“I realized immediately that the mission of CentraCare Clinic was consistent with my personal philosophy of patient care. At Coborn Cancer Center, we work as a team to deliver highly skilled, compassionate care in a healing environment to treat the patient not just the diagnosis,” said Kaplan-Frenkel.
The professionals providing the care are the center’s most valuable asset, but cutting-edge technology is important, too. Take for instance, Coborn Cancer Center’s newest addition -- the Elekta Synergy S linear accelerator. |
This system can treat nearly any form of cancer by combining imaging and radiation therapy to provide “real-time” pictures of the patient’s tumor. This gives the physician the ability to treat the tumor with greater precision while sparing the healthy tissue and organs surrounding the tumor.
For example, in the case of lung cancer, this new machine synchronizes the radiation beam with the patient’s breathing pattern to ensure the radiation targets the tumor with greater precision than ever before.
“This helps us to minimize the side effects and maximize the benefit of the radiation to the patient, and, ultimately, should lead to improved local control and survival rates,” Kaplan-Frenkel said.
This new linear accelerator is housed in a room designed with visual imagery. It soon will offer patients rotating scenic photography and music therapy to help them to relax and be as comfortable as possible.
Linear Accelerator Patient Benefits
- Painless and non-invasive procedure
- Spares healthy tissues and organs surrounding tumor
- No hospital stay or anesthesia required (Reduces treatment cost)
- Little or no recovery time after treatment
- Treats almost any type of tumor
Barbi Kaplan-Frenkel, D.O., and André Mitchell, M.D., radiation oncologists with Coborn Cancer Center, are trained to provide radiation therapy to patients using the new Elekta Synergy S linear accelerator.
Learn more about Coborn Cancer Center. |
Barbi Kaplan-Frenkel, D.O. |
André Mitchell, M.D. |
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