For Immediate Release
April 9, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – The Department of Radiation Medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), the most technically advanced and comprehensively equipped radiation facility in Western New York, is expanding. The department installed its second Trilogy™ System, increasing the availability of state-of-the-art treatments to cancer patients.

The Trilogy™ System delivers all forms of external-beam radiation therapy. Sophisticated treatment methods allow specialists to shape the radiation beams to more precisely target the tumors while protecting nearby healthy tissue. “Respiratory gating,” which automatically synchronizes the radiation beam to the patient’s breathing is standard.

Patients experience greater comfort during the outpatient procedure, shorter treatment times, fewer side effects and have the potential for better outcomes. The Trilogy™ System can be used to treat a wide range of cancers including breast, head and neck, liver, lung, pancreatic and prostate. The system also can be used to target tumors that are close to critical structures such as the spinal cord.

“What distinguished Roswell Park is its investment in sophisticated technology, which under the direction of highly trained faculty and staff, provides patients with individualized treatments based on the size, shape and type of tumor,” said Michael Kuettel, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Radiation Medicine, RPCI. “Since approximately 70% of all patients receive radiation therapy during their cancer treatment, it is important that they make knowledgeable decisions about their care,”

Members of the highly trained faculty work as a team where physicians set a treatment goal, dosimetrists create a treatment plan and medical physicists monitor and confirm delivery of the precise dose of radiation.

Recently diagnosed prostate cancer patient, Don Fuller, adds "IMRT radiation therapy provided at Roswell Park is both painless and efficient." Mr. Fuller specifically wanted to commend the care provided by the radiation medical team. "These people are kind and caring - a wonderful group of professionals."

Dr. Kuettel adds, “Roswell Park is the regional leader in innovative radiation therapies and contributes nationally to the development of treatment guidelines. Patients can be confident knowing that each physician specializes in a particular type of cancer incorporating the highest standards of care.” Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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