Innovative Technology from Varian Medical Systems Delivers Precise Cancer Treatments
Radiation Oncology of North Florida is pleased to announce the addition of the Halcyon™, an image-guided radiotherapy system. Patients will no longer need to travel outside of the Lake City area for highly-precise and advanced radiation treatment.
The Halcyon Radiation Therapy System allows for accurate high-dose delivery of radiotherapy to tumors with minimal exposure of normal tissue. The Halcyon system treats multiple tumor sites including skin, brain, head and neck, lung, breast, liver, pancreas, gastric, rectum, bladder, and prostate.
Treatment times and overall duration of the treatment plan, are significantly shorter with the Halcyon™. Using image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), or volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), it can deliver up to 4-times faster treatment than the standard technology. The system captures either two-dimensional, or cone beam CT images for guidance in less than 15 seconds. Delivering varying intensities of radiation, treatment times last approximately two minutes per session.
Physicians and staff members at Radiation Oncology of North Florida are pleased to bring this new technology to Lake City and the surrounding communities.
“The Halcyon system allows us to deliver fast, high-quality treatments that our patients need with the comfort and convenience that our patients deserve to win the fight against cancer,” said board certified radiation oncologist, Mark E. Thompson, DO.
For increased patient comfort, Halcyon™operates very quietly with a couch that is low to the ground for easy patient access. The spacious, 100 cm wide circular bore that the patient passes into during treatment is larger than those on standard CT machines.
To facilitate a closer connection between patient and therapist during a Halcyon™ treatment, the system incorporates a couch-mounted camera that travels with the patient and a two-way intercom making it easy for the therapist to monitor and converse with the patient receiving treatment.
Radiation Oncology of North Florida (386) 755-0601 is now accepting patients for treatment with the Halcyon™system.
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays that target specific cancer sites. Our advanced technology allows us to precisely aim the radiation at the tumor while avoiding damage to the normal, healthy cells. Click on the button below to learn more.
