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Siteman Cancer Center Advances Radiation Oncology Care at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

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LINAC machine in a hospital room is an important radiation oncology upgrade at Siteman Cancer Center

Adding to the depth and breadth of its clinical care across the region, Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is celebrating its newest technology and facility upgrade at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

The project includes the installation of a linear accelerator (LINAC) used to deliver external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of multiple types of cancers, including breast, head and neck, genitourinary, skin, lung and bone cancers, as well as sarcomas, lymphoma and gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancer. The linear accelerator is manufactured by TrueBeam.

“Linear accelerators have several advantages,” said WashU Medicine radiation oncologist Imran Zoberi, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. “They can pinpoint targeting of high-dose radiation and be programmed to deliver radiation in conjunction with a patient’s respiratory breathing cycle. In other words, if we are treating a small cancerous lung tumor that moves a lot while breathing, we can ‘gate’ the treatment so that radiation is delivered only at certain times in that breathing cycle and in the precise location where the tumor is located.”

The 11,483 square-foot facility is one-third larger than the previous space used for radiation oncology treatments and care. Located on the first floor of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, the center offers convenient access. It includes more exam rooms for patients and office space for radiation oncologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nursing staff. In addition, a separate, larger exam room allows for even more clinical care options.

Along with the expanded facility and new technology, Siteman Cancer Center is adding a new genitourinary cancer specialist, WashU Medicine radiation oncologist Mustafaa Mahmood, MD, to help address the increased number of patients being treated for prostate, bladder and kidney and other cancers.

“The true advantage for patients is that they have access to all Siteman Cancer Center locations,” said Angela Mayer, director of clinical and support services at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. “We can treat patients here or send their treatment plan to another Siteman location if it’s more convenient for their care. With six regional locations for adult patients, we can tap into nationally recognized expertise at any location and offer not only premier cancer care, but also access to clinical trials for a wide range of cancers.”

Radiation therapist Erin Wittland, supervisor of radiation oncology at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, said the team already is planning more technology enhancements, including the installation of a second LINAC unit within the next two years. In the meantime, she said, “Siteman Cancer Center is highly experienced at integrating care by multiple specialists in several locations in both Missouri and Illinois.”

In addition to clinical care, Siteman Cancer Center also is known for its cancer prevention and control and research efforts. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, Siteman is recognized for demonstrating an added depth and breadth of research, as well as substantial transdisciplinary research that bridges scientific areas.

“Siteman Cancer Center has the capacity and technology to deliver the latest and most advanced cancer treatments,” Zoberi said. “This latest radiation oncology project at Siteman at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital is a testament to that vision of providing care in communities across the St. Louis region.”