Photo By Rebecca Perron | 190125-N-GM597-041 Portsmouth, Va. Radiation Oncology Division leadership and command...... read more read more
The Radiation Oncology Division at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth debuted a new linear accelerator during an open house Jan. 25, holding a ribbon cutting for the $4.5-million machine that is revolutionary in the way it treats cancerous and benign tumors.
The Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator integrates computerized tomography (CT) imaging and radiation delivery for extremely precise radiation therapy treatment. With a more precise beam, there is a lower chance of damage to surrounding organs and tissue, and the treatment time of each session is typically cut in half.
“A fair number of cancer patients will need radiation as part of their treatment, in addition to possibly surgery and chemotherapy,” said Cmdr. Timothy Barkdoll, the Radiation Oncology Division head. “Using this equipment, we typically treat from single digits to upper 20s in the number of patients who use the machine each day.”
The accelerator uses CT scans to help determine the areas to treat with radiation. A dosimetrist also coordinates with the physician to contour all of the areas of interest and the doctor determines the best way to get the radiation to the target.
“We are finding that the treatment times are a lot shorter,” said Tracey Mosely, a radiation therapist. “Previously, it typically took 45 minutes to treat a head and neck patient, and now, 20 minutes or less. Some patient’s treatment is about half what it was before, and some are even less than that. The longer they are on the table, the more chance they have of moving, which is what leads to surrounding tissue damage.”
Mosely explained that they work with patients to make them comfortable during treatment, but breast cancer patients are positioned with their arms over their heads, and head and neck cancer patients must have a mask over their face with their chin up. In either case, she said, 15 to 20 minutes is a lot more tolerable than 30 to 45 minutes.
This accuracy allows NMCP to offer treatment modalities they could not with the previous equipment.
“These are treatments that need to be more precise by virtue of having a better shaped radiation field,” Barkdoll explained. “We can treat smaller tumors without increasing the chance of damage to the surrounding tissue.”
The equipment has opened doors for participation in more research trials. These trials focus on finding better ways to treat cancer. The Radiation Oncology Division currently has 16 clinical trials open, including research on prostate and breast cancer.
“We can offer more of the national trials available across the country, even internationally,” said Melvina Queen, clinical data research coordinator. “We can offer the same protocols since we have the same technology. We are a participating site in clinical cancer trial network studies, and these are offered through the National Cancer Institute.”
The new equipment was in use for several weeks prior to the open house, treating more than 15 patients during 20 treatments days, three of whom have completed their radiation therapy.
Steven Pledger, a former hospital corpsman and the family member of a retiree, was the first patient to complete his treatment using the new linear accelerator. Pledger was diagnosed with cancer after a visit to NMCP’s emergency room.
“They took out a lymph node, and sure enough, they found cancer,” Pledger said. “My left tonsil also had cancer. So they took out my tonsils and set me on this course of chemotherapy and radiation. And here I sit today, finishing my treatment. The way the staff helps people who could potentially have a devastating diagnosis goes above and beyond what you could expect of anyone. From communication between the different areas that coordinate care to the personalization – it doesn’t feel clinical.”
Barkdoll echoed Pledger’s sentiments of the caliber of his staff.
“If you look at our patient surveys, we rate high as physicians and staff in the clinic,” Barkdoll said. “We are a Top 20 Specialty Clinic within the DoD when it comes to the JOES surveys, so that shows that our patients value the care we provide here. Our front desk staff was also at the top of the surveys. We are able to spend the time with patients to make them feel comfortable and less anxious. This is a difficult time for them, and everyone in this clinic has the mindset that we are here to serve the patient, not count numbers as a throughput.”
As the U.S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating hospital since 1830, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth proudly serves past and present military members and their families. The national acclaimed, state of the art medical center, along with the area's ten branch and TRICARE Prime Clinics in the Hampton Roads area. The medical center also supports premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsman for future roles in healing and wellness.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2019 09:42 |
| Story ID: | 308732 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 356 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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