Early detection, prevention and treatment of cancer have come a long way in recent years. So has the technology that makes it possible. Similar to the way patient outcomes and survival rates keep improving each year, the equipment needed for cancer care keeps getting better and better. The MetroWest Medical Cancer Care Center has made sure it has the latest technology that can result in the best possible care. Radiation Oncology has a dedicated staff consisting of radiation oncologists, licensed radiation therapists, an oncologist certified nursing staff and a physics staff consisting of a physicist and a dosimetrist, a Cancer Registrar, and a Clinical Research Nurse.

• Siemens Linear Accelerator
  With the goal of increasing cancer cure rates, radiation oncologists continue to develop new treatment techniques to precisely deliver doses of radiation, as well as perform conventional treatments. The linear accelerators feature a 52 Multileaf Collimator System that allows treatment fields or beams to conform to the shape of the tumor. One of the accelerators also has a digital imager that allows for examination of the patient’s treatment field as the machine delivers the treatment. It gives a clear view of the patient’s true position, thus increasing the accuracy of treatment. This technology results in the most effective treatment delivery for successful patient outcomes.



• Pinnacle (ADAC) Treatment Planning System
  The MetroWest Medical Cancer Care has a powerful 3-Dimensional treatment planning and virtual simulation system. This system provides advanced graphics, fast dose calculations, and simplifies the complexities of 3-Dimensional treatment planning tasks. With its sophisticated software, it simplifies complex panning for patients undergoing radiation treatment and allows for the contouring of complex tumor structures. The software revolutionizes the radiotherapy process by streamlining the transfer of data in the Cancer Care Center. The MetroWest Medical Cancer Care Center implemented Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in December 2005. IMRT technique will enable clinicians to vary dose intensity and more precisely shape the beam of radiation than ever before. This can greatly minimize complications in normal tissue that surrounds tumors.



• Siemens Sensation Open Large Bore 20-Slice CT Scanner
  Images created by Computed Tomography, commonly called CT or CAT scan, enables clinicians to perform the most accurate radiation treatment plans. This is one of the most advanced systems used for conformal and high-precision radiation planning. The CT scanner is capable of producing digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) and possesses unique visualization tools. The CT images produced may be easily transferred to the treatment planning system to be fused and aligned with CT images, MRI, and PET.



• LANTIS Integrated Oncology Management System
  This single, integrated oncology information system handles the Center’s extensive clinical and administrative information management needs. LANTIS streamlines the radiation delivery process and provides for automatic patient setup, and records and verifies treatment. LANTIS has a full electronic record that features a patient’s diagnosis, prescription, treatment history, and notes. This contributes to improved communication, efficiency, and quality of care. In addition to improving data reporting and assuring treatment accuracy, LANTIS provides the connectivity from the treatment planning system to the linear accelerator and give online access to medical images that are an integral part of the electronic medical record. As reliable as it is powerful, it provides the information tools necessary to achieve the best possible care for patients undergoing cancer therapy.