Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center has expanded its radiation oncology capabilities with the addition of advanced imaging technology designed to improve treatment planning and support highly personalized radiation therapy.
The new computed tomography (CT) simulation system became operational last month and will play a critical role in planning radiation treatments for patients receiving care at the Cancer Center.
CT simulation is one of the most important steps in radiation therapy. During this process, detailed images help the care team identify the treatment area, protect healthy tissue, account for movement within the body and develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The new system delivers high-resolution imaging, faster scan acquisition and advanced motion-management capabilities that can help clinicians plan treatments with greater accuracy and confidence.
"Every radiation treatment begins with a precise understanding of the patient's anatomy," said Dr. Jennifer Vogel, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center. "This technology strengthens our ability to evaluate complex treatment areas and create highly individualized plans for our patients."
The scanner also accommodates a wide range of patient positions and treatment setups, helping support both patient comfort and clinical flexibility. Advanced motion-assessment capabilities are particularly valuable when planning treatment for tumors that move as a patient breathes.
"The quality of the simulation images directly affects the technical work that follows," said Kevin Shay, Chief Medical Physicist at Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center. "The enhanced image quality and motion-management tools provide our team with detailed information that supports precise treatment delivery while helping minimize exposure to surrounding healthy tissue."
The enhanced imaging capabilities support the Cancer Center's ability to provide advanced radiation treatments, including highly targeted stereotactic therapies that can deliver precise doses of radiation to tumors while limiting impact on nearby healthy tissue. These treatments may benefit patients with a wide range of cancers, including tumors in the brain, spine and lung, as well as selected non-cancer conditions that can be effectively treated with radiation therapy.
The addition of the new CT simulation system further strengthens Bon Secours's efforts to expand access to advanced radiation oncology services in the Upstate region, allowing more patients to receive sophisticated care close to home.
"This is an investment in our patients, our physicians and the future of cancer care in Greenville," said Andrew Honeychuck, Director of Oncology at Bon Secours. "It allows us to pair advanced imaging with two highly capable treatment platforms and provide more patients with sophisticated radiation care close to home."
For more information about cancer services at Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center, visit bonsecours.com.