Novant Health Announces ‘TrueBeam’ as Cancer Treatment Option

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Novant Health’s cancer center in in Gainesville has added a new tool to its center at the entrance of Lake Manassas.

The “TrueBeam” system is designed to perform sophisticated surgeries, and it will expand the treatment options for those with challenging cases of cancer, according to a hospital spokeswoman who released the following statement:

The system works by choreographing highly sophisticated systems—imaging, beam delivery and motion management—and makes it possible to deliver treatments quickly while monitoring and compensating for tumor motion. It will enable faster, accurate tumor targeting in the treatment of challenging cancers throughout the body, including those in the brain, spinal cord and lung. The $6 million construction project is expected to be complete with the new TrueBeam system operational in the spring of 2015.

“TrueBeam is a breakthrough technology that enhances our ability to treat cancer and other diseases with noninvasive image-guided radiosurgery,” said Dr. Sanjeev Aggarwal, medical director of Novant Health Cancer Center. “It represents a quantum leap in terms of the spectrum of advanced treatment options we can offer patients fighting serious disease.”

Improving the patient experience
TrueBeam also offers features to improve the patient experience. The machine’s mechanisms run smoothly, quietly and fast. Three closed-circuit television systems and a two-way audio system allow for comprehensive monitoring of the patient from outside the treatment room and facilitate interactions between patient and therapist. Enhanced technology enables music to be played during the short treatments, helping to create a more soothing treatment environment.

Fast, precise treatments
The system can deliver treatments 2.4 to 4 times faster with a dose delivery rate of up to 2,400 monitor units per minute—double the output of most other radiosurgery systems, including CyberKnife. This is important, as independent studies have shown that with faster treatments there is less tumor and patient movement.

“Intelligent” automation further speeds treatments with an up to five-fold reduction in the number of steps needed for imaging, positioning and treating patients compared with earlier Varian technology. A complex radiosurgery that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes can be completed in just 5 to 20 minutes. 

Novant Health Cancer is nationally recognized by the American College of Radiology, and is a vital part of Novant Health’s comprehensive cancer care program. That program includes Novant Health Prince William Medical Center whose cancer care is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the Novant Health Breast Center, recognized by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. The collaborative and multidisciplinary clinical care team treat cancers, including bladder; bone; brain; breast; colorectal; esophageal, gynecologic, head and neck; lung; pancreatic, prostate; skin; stomach; and testicular.