Strath cancer sufferers set to be benefit from better treatment
The arrival of a new complex piece of equipment at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness will improvement treatment for those with cancer from Badenoch and Strathspey.
Work has now started to install the Varian TrueBeam, a new linear accelerator which will be the first of its kind to be used in Scotland.
Dr David Whillis, Consultant Oncologist for NHS Highland, explained that the machine will allow NHS Highland to provide patients with a fully comprehensive range of the most modern radiotherapy techniques.
He said: "We are delighted with the arrival of the new machine.
"We know that approximately half of all new cancer patients are likely to require radiotherapy as part of their initial disease management, and the numbers of patients diagnosed with cancer are also rising.
"The new linear accelerator will complement the machine we got two years ago and allow us to deliver advanced treatments to our patients."
The Varian TrueBeam will allow the radiotherapy department to treat patients with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy.
IMRT uses linear acclerators to deliver radiation doses to tumours, or specific areas of a tumour, and allows for the dose to be delivered more precisely to the shape of the tumour by controlling the concentration of the radiation.
It also helps minimise the radiation dose for areas around the tumour.
Nichola Summers, Service Manager for Cancer Services, explained that while the machine will be using more modern technology it is not an extra machine but a replacement.
She said: "This is a replacement for our older machine so while we will not be increasing our capacity we will be able to provide our patients with the latest in radiotherapy techniques.
"There is a lengthy installation and commissioning process for this piece of kit, but we would expect it to be ready for clinical use by the middle of next year."
