New radiosurgery, infusion services for VICC patients

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has opened a new radiation oncology suite that features stereotactic radiosurgery, a technology that provides more precise targeting of tumors and faster delivery of the correct dose of radiation for patients diagnosed with benign or malignant tumors.

VICC’s new Novalis Tx radiosurgery unit is the first of its kind in Middle Tennessee.

“Here at Vanderbilt we are at the forefront of delivering stereotactic, or more focused, radiation,” said Arnold Malcolm, M.D., interim chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. “We also are looking at hypofractionated radiation, which means giving a curative dose in a shorter period of time without damaging normal tissues.”

The new radiosurgery system, developed by Varian Medical Systems and BrainLAB, has several advantages over existing technology, said Malcolm.

The delivery of radiation is so precise it can target tissue less than a millimeter in size - about the thickness of a fingernail. The new technology also delivers an accelerated radiation dose much faster than before and reduces required beam-on time by half.

“This leading edge technology is a major breakthrough and allows neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists the ability to precisely and non-invasively guide a narrow beam of radiation directly to the tumor,” said Reid Thompson, M.D., professor and vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. “We can safely treat patients with surgical precision without an incision.”

Cancer patients now also have expanded access to chemotherapy services at Vanderbilt-Ingram. In May, the VICC Chemotherapy Infusion Clinic moved into renovated space in The Vanderbilt Clinic.

The new clinic – financed through University funding and the support of VICC donors – provides more space, with nearly twice the number of chemotherapy chairs. Additional patient rooms will shorten the length of time patients wait before being placed in a room.

Other improvements include: more comfortable and user-friendly chairs, flat screen TVs with built-in DVD players in each room, a larger waiting area and a family break/vending room, a full wig fitting room, and an area for volunteers to work with patients and their families.

Staff members are also benefitting from the design of the new facility. Updated equipment and larger spaces will allow the staff to be more efficient in providing care to patients.

– by Dagny Stuart