ELEKTA ANNOUNCES FIRST LINEAR ACCELERATOR ORDER IN NEW ZEALAND

Andrew Wong, M.D., says ARO’s decision to purchase Elekta was based on several factors. “Elekta Synergy technology is state of the art. The 3D cone-beam imaging performed at the time of treatment assures not only high-quality images but also exceptional precision in treating tumors. An additional consideration was Elekta’s willingness to address ARO’s questions and concerns with customized service and support.”

ARO will be the first site in New Zealand to utilize Elekta Synergy which will be also capable of performing Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). This advanced cancer treatment technology improves on Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) by simultaneously controlling the position and speed of the linear accelerator gantry, the multileaf collimator and the dose rate, enabling highly conformal radiation doses to the target site, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Elekta VMAT significantly reduces treatment times, with most treatments completed in a remarkable three minutes or less. At the treatment control console, clinicians at ARO will use Elekta’s clinically proven 3D imaging solution, X-Ray Volume Imaging (XVI), to obtain a low dose kilovoltage image, then analyze and correct for submillimeter patient positioning and automatically save all treatment information into the MOSAIQ™ electronic medical record system.

“Elekta VMAT is the fastest, most accurate radiation therapy on the market today,” says Dr. Wong. “Our patients and staff will both benefit from the speed of VMAT treatment times. Our first step is to implement an efficient Conformal Therapy and IGRT program for our patients. Then we will advance upon that by introducing VMAT”.

ARO is New Zealand’s first private radiotherapy center and is a joint venture between MercyAscot and Southern Cross Hospitals. Dr. Wong explains, “The only access to radiotherapy in New Zealand at present is through the public health system. This can involve long waiting lists and patients being sent overseas for treatment. ARO is focused on supplementing existing public healthcare, as well as offering a premier private service to patients who would like a choice of treatment options.”

The center is part of a comprehensive cancer center being developed by MercyAscot which will be situated at the Mercy Hospital. Both organizations share a mutual concern for people who do not have access to timely treatment in the public healthcare system, and are hopeful that the cancer center will offer an option that complements the treatment allowed by public health.

Dr. Wong says the new ARO center will treat mainly prostate and breast cancers. “We are providing not only exemplary service and faster access to care but also the very latest in advanced technology for treating cancer,” he says.

******