STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY USING CALYPSO® "GPS FOR THE BODY"
The Christ Hospital Health Network is transforming cancer care in Greater Cincinnati with a powerful new alternative to traditional surgery. The Christ Hospital Cancer Center was the first in the Tristate, and one of six in the country, to receive delivery of the Edge™ radiosurgery system for high-precision radiosurgery.
Surpassing the Cyberknife and Gamma Knife
The Edge surpasses the capabilities of Cyberknife and Gamma Knife by more quickly and accurately targeting difficult-to-treat tumors anywhere in the body. Almost everyone in our region is touched by cancer at some point—whether personally, or through a loved one. For our patients, this means less time spent in radiation treatments and destroying cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
The Edge accurately targets tumors and other abnormalities without an incision or the need for recovery in a hospital setting. Its knifelike beam can accurately target tumors of the lung, brain, spine and other areas that are typically more difficult to treat surgically.
Body Motion Tracker Using GPS for the Body
The Edge system delivers radiosurgery treatments quickly while monitoring and compensating for motion through the use of advanced imaging and real-time motion tracking technologies. The system incorporates Varian’s Calypso® “GPS for the Body” system for tracking tumor position in real time. Even tumors that move, such as lungs, breast and prostate, can be precisely targeted due to special tools that compensate for motion throughout a treatment. The system also can alert clinicians if a patient has moved in a way that could compromise treatment accuracy. A sophisticated treatment couch with six axes of motion enhances treatment precision by providing additional angles for targeting tumors.
Quicker Radiation Treatment Plan
The Edge system can complete these sophisticated treatments in just a few minutes per day. A complex radiosurgery that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes can usually be completed in less than 15 minutes. This is important, as independent studies have shown that with faster treatments there is less time for tumor and patient movement.
Radiation Therapy in Mt. Auburn and Montgomery
The implementation of Edge at The Christ Hospital Cancer Center in Mt. Auburn is part of a larger upgrade to its radiation oncology equipment for cancer patients at The Christ Hospital Health Network. In addition to Edge, there are two additional radiation therapy machines – a second in Mt. Auburn at the Cancer Center and one at The Christ Hospital Outpatient Center in Montgomery.
For more information about cancer services, call 513-585-2940.