Basic HTML Version
treatment and healthy tissue surrounding the tumor is
more protected. Other benefits include:
•
Flexibility to treat both large and small tumors
•
Shorter treatment sessions
•
More accurate alignment of radiation beam and
patient
•
Integrated CT scanner for fine-tuned patient
positioning
•
Potential for respiratory motion management
In order to house the new machine, renovations are
under way at the Coeur d’Alene center. During this time,
patients will be able to receive care in the Post Falls loca-
tion, which will have extended hours until renovations
are complete.
Even though both locations will have the linear ac-
celerator, each will specialize in different treatments.
“Thesemachines can treat anything that needs radiation
therapy,” said JeanneAtha, director of the Kootenai Cancer
Center. “This is just another way we’re working to give
patients the best care possible close to home.”
Expanding Technology
By Andrea Kalas-Nagel
IN 2009 THE KOOTENAI CANCER CENTER IN
Post Falls opened, and with it, cancer patients had access
to new technology and treatments never before available
in northern Idaho. Now some of that same technology
will be available in the Coeur d’Alene location with the
purchase of a second linear accelerator.
Linear accelerators treat tumors using high-energy
x-rays and electrons. Because of this high dose of ra-
diation, doctors and technicians monitor everything on
closed-circuit television screens and computer monitors
just outside the treatment room, providing safe treatment
to all patients. Physicians also receive a constant stream
of images from a built-in computed tomography (CT)
scanner that sends information about tumor size and
location in real-time.
“This upgrade at the Coeur d’Alene site has its greatest
benefit with the image guidance,” radiation oncologist
Frank Lamm, M.D., said. “This will mean that patients
receiving complex radiation and chemotherapy at the
same time will be able to have it done at one site as op-
posed to separate facilities. In addition, patients who
prefer treatment in Coeur d’Alene, because of travel
or other considerations, can be better accommodated.”
The accelerator also has special cameras and software,
which allow the machine to monitor the tumor for a
change in location. For example, when respiratory gating
is used to monitor tumors in the lungs and abdomen, it
administers radiation between breaths for greater precision
than ever before. It also follows the tumor if it happens
to move slightly due to small movements that a patient
might make during treatment.
The linear accelerator at Kootenai Cancer Center has
increased power, precision and versatility to deliver bet-
ter patient care. The accelerator is able to completely
rotate around the patient, delivering treatment from
many different angles as opposed to just a couple of
static positions. Because the machine is able to move
around the patient, there are fewer side effects from the
T H E K O O T E N A I C A N C E R C E N T E R I N
C O E U R D ’ A L E N E I S U P G R A D I N G F O R M O R E
A C C U R A T E , S P E C I A L I Z E D P A T I E N T C A R E
LEADING EDGE
KOO T E NA I
H E A L T H
. OR G
5