8 September 2009

Cancer patients benefit from new linear accelerator 4 weeks early

Hundreds of cancer patients in the Illawarra will receive faster and more efficient treatment now that the new $3.7 million linear accelerator is up and running at Wollongong Hospital – four weeks earlier than anticipated.

Chief Radiation Therapist at Wollongong Hospital, Anthony Arnold, said the new equipment uses the latest in high-energy radiation technology to kill cancer cells in all type of cancers treatable by radiotherapy.

“In comparison with the old machine it replaced, the new linear accelerator can deliver higher doses of radiation while at the same time reducing the effects on surrounding healthy tissues.

“This means improved chance of cure and a reduction in side effects,” Mr Arnold said.

Illawarra cancer patients are receiving the benefits of the new machine earlier than expected, with the commissioning of the new machine four weeks ahead of schedule.

“Thanks to the commitment of our physicists who worked regular Saturdays to get the machine up and running – local cancer patients can now get their treatment sooner.

“In recent months our staff have been exceptional in ensuring local patients receive the care they need while the second machine was being installed. They have all done an outstanding job,” he said.

The new linear accelerator is a new generation of imaging equipment which allows fast and accurate guidance of the treatment to the target areas.

“It has the capability of controlling not only the imaging devices, but also the patient positioning couch by remote control.

“This means staff can image the treatment area, introduce any corrections required, and deliver treatment without having to enter the treatment room. It allows a high degree of treatment accuracy in a very short timeframe,” Mr Arnold said.

This clever technology allows highly complex treatments to be delivered in a fraction of the time they currently take.

The Illawarra Cancer Centre currently delivers more than 16,000 treatment sessions per year, with around 1,000 new patients treated annually.

This new linear accelerator which is matched to the existing machine will enable more patients to be treated faster and more accurately and will cater for the growing health care needs of cancer patients in the Illawarra.


Media Enquiries: Kimberley Moore: 02 4253 4871 or 0418 498 558