Treatments have commenced on the new Elekta Synergy S at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
One of the world’s leading providers of intra- and extracranial stereotactic radiosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), has started offering treatments using the Elekta Synergy S digital linear accelerator.The clinical start of treatments began October 30, 2007 with a colon cancer treatment followed by a lung patient. Since then, the vast majority of patients treated with Elekta Synergy S are spine stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) patients, most of which are treated in a single session. Elekta Synergy S is a state-of-the-art digital linear accelerator with ultra-precise patient alignment that uses Elekta's advanced X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) to acquire ultra low dose 3D cone beam CT volumetric images with the patient in the treatment position for accurate patient alignment. The system then delivers higher, more conformal doses of radiation to the target due to the unique MLC design of Elekta Synergy S, called Beam Modulator. The Beam Modulator was designed for single session SRS, which results in fewer clinic visits for the patient, as well as faster, more efficient treatment times. 'Elekta Synergy S is a very good, very reliable machine,' says M. Saiful Huq, PhD, FAAPM, FinstP, professor and director of Medical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Cancer Centers. 'With the Elekta Volume View cone beam CT, we can localise treatment directly to the tumour and spare surrounding healthy tissue. And the robotic HexaPOD tabletop allows six degrees of correction in rotational or translational errors for extreme accuracy.' With these capabilities, Elekta Synergy S provides a powerful combination of software-driven, image-guided accuracy and highly conformal beam shaping - two critical requirements for maximising precision and improving patient outcomes in stereotactic treatment. UPMC and Elekta have worked together for many years. 'We have a strong Elekta presence at UPMC Cancer Centers,' says Dr Huq. 'Historically, a great deal of Leksell Gamma Knife development has taken place here, as well as collaboration on other Elekta technology. So Elekta Synergy S was a natural progression for us.'
With the addition of Elekta Synergy S to its Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion and Leksell Gamma Knife 4C capabilities, the Center for Image Guided Neurosurgery at UPMC has been designated an Elekta Stereotactic Centre of Excellence. 'We treat one of the largest patient volumes in the world,' says Dr Huq, 'and Elekta Synergy S will be a great benefit to our patients.'
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