WK Proton Therapy Center Begins Treating Patients Willis-Knighton Health System has announced that its Proton Therapy Center at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center has begun treating patients with advanced pencil beam proton therapy. The first patients received care on Tuesday, Sept. 9, heralding the beginning of a new era of cancer treatment for residents of the region. Proton therapy is the most precise form of radiation therapy available today, directing the energy of protons (very tiny parts of the atom) into the tumor with great precision. The protons conform to the exact shape of a tumor, sparing the healthy organs and tissue surrounding it. Unlike more traditional forms of radiation therapy, even image guided radiation therapy like TomoTherapy, proton therapy stops inside the tumor, targeting only the cancer itself. Studies at leading institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard have affirmed a decrease in side effects. The technology at WK Proton Therapy Center is ProteusONE™, a proton therapy system. Proteus ONE™, is the world’s first compact pencil beam scanning unit and was developed by Ion Beam Applications SA (IBA) of Louvain la Neuve, Belgium, a cancer diagnostics and treatment equipment company and a leading proton therapy developer. The company is installing additional units in France, Taiwan and Japan and anticipates growth in the compact technology, thanks to the success with the Willis-Knighton installation. “Partnering with IBA has made this project move smoothly,” said Cancer Center Administrator Greg Sonnenfeld. “With their outstanding team of engineers, physicists and other technical staff, we have initiated treatment of patients ahead of the schedule we anticipated last summer. And that’s great news for patients who have been eager for this remarkable technology.” Patients and physicians seek out this technology because it not only provides exceptional targeting of tumors, but it also alleviates many of the side effects found with other cancer therapies. Disease sites that will be treated at the WK Proton Therapy Center include tumors of the prostate, brain, central nervous system, cancers in the pelvic and abdominal area like rectal and pancreatic cancer, head and neck, and breast cancer. Patients treated at the WK Proton Therapy Center will be followed as a part of active clinical trials, paving the way for future uses of this technology in disease sites that have not traditionally been suited for radiation therapy. In addition to the Proteus One technology, the WK Proton Therapy Center includes the Philips Ambient Experience, technology that includes light, sound and images in a treatment environment to enhance patient comfort. Patients select the environment that they prefer, further personalizing their treatment experience. Learn more at wkproton. About Willis-Knighton Cancer Center Located in Shreveport, La., the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center is the region’s premier cancer treatment facility and is part of Willis-Knighton Health System, a nonprofit community healthcare organization. The Cancer Center offers a wide range of treatment options for cancer patients, including radiation oncology, medical oncology and hematology, surgical oncology and gynecologic oncology. The Center provides on-site diagnostic services such as PET, x-ray, CT and laboratory and offers support groups, counseling, nutritional and educational resources and community education programs. Throughout its history it has been a leader in innovative technologies and has gained national and international recognition in the treatment of cancer, leading to the partnership with IBA for the innovative proton therapy technology. Additional information about the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center is available at wkhs. About IBA IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a cancer diagnostics and treatment equipment company, and the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiotherapy available today. The company’s primary expertise lies in the development of next generation proton therapy technologies that provide oncology care providers with premium quality services and equipment. IBA’s proton therapy solutions are scalable and adaptable, offering universal full scale proton therapy centers as well as next generation compact, single room solutions. IBA also focuses on the development and supply of dosimetry solutions for Quality Assurance of medical equipment and increased patient safety as well as particle accelerators for medical and industrial applications. Headquartered in Belgium and employing more than 1,000 people worldwide, IBA currently has installed systems across Europe and the US and is expanding into emerging markets. The Company is focused on building sustainable global growth for investors, providing solutions in the fight against cancer.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:05:01 +0000
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