WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health is the first health system in the nation to offer an advanced form of radiation therapy.
The therapy, called RapidArc Dynamic, was developed by Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, and represents the next generation of precision cancer treatment. By combining advanced pretreatment modeling technology with real-time adjustments made though the linear accelerator’s dynamic collimator — the device that shapes and angles the radiation beam — this innovation allows clinicians to more accurately target tumors while also safeguarding healthy tissue.
“Nearly half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy,” said Lalithkumar Kumaraswamy, PhD., director of physics at the Novant Health Cancer Institute. “This statistic fuels our resolve to innovate and provide world-class care for our patients close to home. This innovative technology allows us to plan and deliver treatments with even greater accuracy, speed and safety across a wide range of cancer types.”
The first patients to benefit from this advanced therapy began receiving treatment Aug. 25 at the Novant Health Derrick L. Davis Cancer Institute in Winston-Salem.
Why this matters for patients
Radiation therapy has advanced dramatically since it was first introduced in the United States in the early 20th century.
In the past, patients often needed to remain completely still for 30 minutes or longer while a linear accelerator paused, repositioned and restarted several times to deliver targeted beams of radiation.
The Novant Health Cancer Institute improved this experience with the addition of arc linear accelerator treatments. The arc treatments continuously rotate up to 360 degrees around the patient and deliver treatment in a matter of minutes. The results were faster, more accurate therapy.
Today’s announcement further builds upon this progress by introducing an advanced form of intelligent, algorithm-supported technology to assist clinicians in creating improved treatment plans that are personalized to each patient’s unique anatomy and tumor.
“Many hands came together to make this milestone possible,” said Alan Baydush, PhD., chief physicist for the Novant Health Cancer Institute in the Triad. “Our radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and therapists are part of a broader cancer treatment team that includes surgeons, medical oncologists, genetic counselors, nurse navigators and more. Together, we take a comprehensive approach to cancer detection and treatment, ensuring our patients receive remarkable, best-in-class care at every step of their journey.”
This therapy can be used to treat a wide range of cancers, including brain, breast, lung, head and neck, prostate and gastrointestinal. If a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they should talk to their doctor to see if radiation therapy is an option.
The Novant Health Cancer Institute is nationally recognized for providing leading-edge care across the Carolinas. To learn more or find a location near you, visit NovantHealth.org/Cancer.
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About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 40,000 team members along with more than 8,500 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2023, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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