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Cancer-fighting machines arrive at
Radiotherapy Centre
01.03.16
CUTTING edge cancer
equipment costing millions of pounds has begun
arriving at the new radiotherapy centre due to open
in Derry this autumn to treat patients from across
the north west including Donegal.
Altnagelvin Hospital took delivery at the weekend of
two of three TrueBeam linear accelerators (Linacs)
with the final one expected to arrive within the
next few days.
The ten-tonne machines, which are the size of a
large van, are "some of the most advanced" currently
available in world cancer treatment.
They will help improve outcomes for patients
suffering a range of cancers including prostate,
lung, breast, gastro-intestinal and head and neck
cancers.
The machines work by targeting cancer tumours "with
pinpoint accuracy". The radiation dose is then
delivered up to four times faster than was possible
with the previous generation of radiotherapy
equipment. |
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Three world-standard linear
accelerator machines have begun arriving for
installation at the new cross-border radiotherapy
cancer centre due to open at Altnagelvin Hospital,
Derry, this autumn. |
A team of ten people
will be required to manoeuvre the units in five
large pieces from a lorry onto a platform and then
into a temporary opening at the side of the new
radiotherapy facility.
Head of radiotherapy physics at the Western Trust,
Dr Andrew Reilly said: “Installation will take about
six weeks and then a number of months will be
required to complete the detailed testing and
configuration necessary to prepare the machines for
treating our first patients in autumn of this year.
“The system incorporates on-board planar X-ray and
CT-scan imaging technology, known as image guided
radiotherapy (IGRT), to identify and track the
tumour before and during treatment, so that even
with small movements such as breathing, the
radiotherapy beams are guided to the precise spot.”
Radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin Hospital will
provide cancer treatment for patients from the
entire Western Trust area, and from Coleraine, Moyle,
Ballymoney and Donegal. It will be available to a
population of over half a million people living on
both sides of the border.
Radiotherapy manager, Dr David Stewart added: “These
machines will make such a difference to patients,
who will soon be able to receive their radiotherapy
treatment closer to home. The new centre will
improve access and pathways for patients making the
treatment experience better and improving outcomes.” |
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