In a promising development for cancer patients in Mohave County, Havasu Regional Medical Center recently installed the Edge™ system for high-precision radiosurgery, a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgery.

The Edge radiosurgery system, which was developed by Varian Medical Systems, accurately targets tumors and other abnormalities without an incision or the need for recovery in a hospital setting. Its knifelike beam can accurately target tumors of the brain, spine, lung, and other areas that are typically difficult to treat surgically.

The Edge system delivers radiosurgery treatments quickly while monitoring and compensating for motion through the use of advanced imaging and real-time motion tracking technologies. The system incorporates Varian’s Calypso® “GPS for the Body” system for tracking tumor position in real time. Even tumors that move when a patient breathes (for example, those in the lung or breast) can be precisely targeted due to special tools that compensate for motion throughout a treatment. The system also can alert clinicians if a patient has moved in a way that could compromise treatment accuracy. A sophisticated treatment couch with six axes of motion enhances treatment precision by providing additional angles for targeting tumors.

The Edge system can complete these sophisticated treatments in just a few minutes per day. A complex radiosurgery that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes can usually be completed in less than 15 minutes. This is important, as independent studies have shown that with faster treatments there is less time for tumor and patient movement.

Almost everyone is touched by cancer at some point—whether personally, or through a loved one. This is a story that your readers will want to see. Dr. Nicholas Roman, a leading radiation oncologist, is available to provide additional information. We can arrange for a demonstration, as well as interviews with patients who have undergone treatments using the Edge radiosurgery system.

Best regards,

Ryan Perkins, Market Director of Marketing, Havasu Regional Medical Center
920.577.8503