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Newark, NJ—The TomoTherapy Unit at The Frederick
B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is one of only a few sites with
this technology in the entire state. TomoTherapy is an advanced
cancer treatment system that optimizes the delivery of radiation
for cancer.
During treatment, TomoTherapy gives physicians the opportunity
to avoid normal tissue that may be surrounding the cancer. Then,
the physician can focus higher doses of radiation on the tumor,
and do so more safely than has been possible in the past.
“TomoTherapy represents the absolute latest technology
available for the treatment of cancer,” says Dr. Robert Ivker,
the Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Newark
Beth Israel Medical Center. “Higher doses of radiation are
now able to be delivered to tumors with greater safety.”
How is Works
TomoTherapy delivers a very sophisticated form of image guided
intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with such precision that
surrounding, healthy tissue receives lower doses than delivered
by more conventional radiation therapy. Less damage to surrounding
tissue results in fewer complications for patients. A verification
CT scan is done daily prior to treatment and this image is aligned
to match the original planning CT, enhancing the accuracy
of the delivered beam of radiation.
TomoTherapy combines precise 3-D imaging from CT scans with highly
targeted radiation beams. The physician decides how much radiation
the tumor should receive, as well as acceptable levels for surrounding
structures. The system then calculates the appropriate pattern,
position, and intensity of the radiation beam to be delivered,
to match the physician's prescription as closely as possible.
The Radiation Oncology Department
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Newark Beth Israel has
been a leader in cancer treatment in New Jersey for over twenty
years. The department is accredited by the American College of
Radiation Therapy. The program is one of just a few in New Jersey
that is a member of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).
Membership in the RTOG allows the department to offer patients
the most cutting edge cancer protocols, protocols that cannot be
offered at non-member hospitals. The department is also a member
of the Children’s Oncology Group.
Dr. Ivker has made clinical research and patient access to state-of-the-art
cancer treatments his highest priority. He is board certified by
the American Board of Radiology for the practice of Radiation Oncology
and is consistently recognized as performing "the first of its
kind" procedures in the state. Working with Dr Ivker is Dr. Ralph
Eastman. Dr. Eastman received his Board Certification
in Therapeutic Radiology (Radiation Oncology) in June 1980. He
is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and
Oncology. He has been a member of the American College of
Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology as well as other
professional state and county professional societies.
For more information about TomoTherapy or an appointment, please
call (973)-926-7320.
Date: March 23, 2009
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@sbhcs.com
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