• 8/30/2005
  • Downers Grove, IL
  • press release
  • U.S. Newswire (releases.usnewswire.com)

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s Cancer Care Center is offering the only Tomotherapy Unit in the Chicago/Metropolitan Area. This cutting edge technology is the most precise radiation therapy available for cancer patients and is currently available at only one other site in Northern Illinois (Zion, Ill.)

Tomotherapy is a way to create precision with radiation by combining imaging for patient positioning with advanced intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). What does this mean to each patient? More accurate treatment, fewer side effects and decreased time commitments for patients.

“Tomotherapy marries a CT (computerized tomography) scan with a radiation treatment machine, advancing accuracy of treatment”, explains Michael Stutz, M.D. “Because we are imaging the tumor prior to each radiation treatment, we can ensure that our treatments are on target every day.”

William Hartsell, M.D. explains: “Tomotherapy is ideal to treat tumors that are next to important normal structures that should be spared from the radiation–such as treating prostate cancer to spare the rectum and bladder; head and neck cancer to spare the salivary glands; and brain cancer to spare as much normal brain as possible.”

The media is invited to a press conference on September 6, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. William Hartsell, M.D., Michael Stutz, M.D., Director of the Cancer Care Center, Paula Timmerman, a radiology technician and possibly a patient about to undergo treatment will be available for questions and comments. Media will also be able to view the new equipment.