The Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital Enhances Radiation Oncology in Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley

Radiation therapy planning and delivery improves with addition of Phillips Brilliance Big Bore CT Simulator

The Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital recently enhanced its radiation therapy program by introducing the Phillips Brilliance Big Bore CT Simulator. The latest investment in cancer-fighting equipment provides the most advanced imaging technology available today to assist in proper positioning and planning of radiation therapy treatments. After extensive training, cancer center specialists began using the new simulator with patients in mid-July.

"This advanced planning tool significantly improves the accuracy of radiation treatment and allows us to give an increased radiation dose to the tumor while reducing the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissue," says Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein, Director of Radiation Oncology at the Cancer Center at Lowell General. "We are proud to be the first to bring this new technology to the Merrimack Valley."

Using this new CT imaging technology for planning and delivering radiation, a person is positioned in exactly the same way for each daily treatment, aiding in precise focus of radiation to the affected area. Additionally the system enables three-dimensional visualization of tumors and surrounding tissue to provide the most accurate and efficient treatment.

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat many types of cancers including that of the breast, prostate, lung, head and neck, and others.

The Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital provides diagnosis, treatment and care for adults including radiation and medical oncology, surgical treatment, access to clinical trials, cancer risk assessment as well as support services for patients and their caregivers. It is accredited with certification in Radiation Oncology by the American College of Radiology and received Approval with Commendation as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeon's Commission on Cancer.