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SPECIAL FEATURE radiation to an area as small as a pencil point, minimizing damage to the healthy tissue surrounding a tumor. Varian Trilogy delivers intensity- modulated radiation that matches the shape of the target area, including tumors that have concave or complex shapes. It also delivers radiation doses nearly 60 percent faster than conven- tional linear accelerators used to treat cancer, providing patient treatment in a much shorter period of time. "The Varian Trilogy, provides the power, precision and versatility to treat patients faster with more accuracy," says Ravindra Kulasekere, PhD, director of Clinical Medical Physics. "It also allows a wide range of treatment options for patients based on their individual treatment needs. With the addition of this machine in our Cancer Care Center, patients will have all of the latest radia- tion therapy options in one place." In addition to shorter treatment times, the Varian Trilogy also provides radiation therapy in fewer treatment sessions so patients can make fewer trips to the hos- pital or be discharged to go home sooner. "The new Varian Trilogy makes it possible for patients to receive high-dose radiation in two to three treatments ver- sus four to five weeks with conventional technology," says Peter M. Laye, MD, director of Radiation Oncology. "By minimizing damage to healthy tissue, we can also reduce the potential for side effects from treatment and enhance patient comfort." Along with the Varian Trilogy, Ravindra Kulasekere, PhD, leads MetroHealth's team of certified medical physicists who use specialized phantoms and a rigorous quality assurance program to ensure the best quality care for patients. New and Improved Linear Accelerators MetroHealth's recent technology investment includes a new $2.6 million Varian Trilogy linear accelerator. The only one of its kind in northeast Ohio, Varian Trilogy offers stereotactic radio- surgery and radiation therapy in a single system. Its stereotactic radiosurgery capabilities enhance MetroHealth's ability to treat small lesions such as those in the head and neck. It can target 14 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 MetroHealth has installed a new on- board imaging system on its existing Varian iX accelerator, making it possible to plan more precise radiation treatments on this equipment as well. The on-board imaging system allows the medical team to take a realtime image of a patient in his or her treatment position and align this image to the planned treatment image, so radiation can be directed with pinpoint accuracy to the tumor. The existing Varian iX accelerator will soon be re-calibrated to be twinned to the new Trilogy accelerator. The calibration and commissioning of an accelerator is a PHOTOS BY REBECCA COLLINS-KUNES, COURTESY OF METROHEALTH