Press Releases

Bringing university cancer care close to home
 Saint Margaret Mercy unveils technologically advanced cancer-fighting arsenal


For Immediate Release
November 11, 1999
Contact: Maria E. Ramos
(219) 865-2141, ext. 45321
Maria.Ramos@ssfhs.org

Hammond, Ind. -- Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers unveiled a $3.4 million technologically advanced cancer-fighting arsenal for its newly renovated Oncology Center. An advance preview for the media took place on Nov. 9, followed by an open house for the general public on Nov. 11.

Special guests Chris and Stefanie Spielman helped kick-off the open house. Chris, a NFL linebacker, took time off from his career in 1998 to stand by his wife Stefanie who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Stefanie's cancer is now in remission and Chris has retired from the Cleveland Browns.

Saint Margaret Mercy remains at the forefront in the fight against cancer in Northwest Indiana. And this year is no exception. "New and exciting renovations and enhancements made this fall promise even greater advancements in cancer treatments," said Marla Hoyer-Lareau, administrative director for The Oncology Center.

The Oncology Center recently replaced some of its equipment with more sophisticated, cutting-edge, technology-driven tools. A hi-tech transformation is occurring with the addition of:

  • The Picker ACQSIM CT simulation system. ACQSIM is the most advanced 3-D computed tomography (CT) simulation system available. It allows the radiation oncologist to localize the tumor volume in a matter of minutes. CT images of parts of the body are subdivided into slices, much like a loaf of bread, to provide more detailed information about the organs inside the body.

    With the ACQSIM, patient preparation, physical simulation and data acquisition steps can be completed in less than 30 minutes.

  • CT guided prostate seed implants. CT guided prostate seed implantation is considered by many specialists in the oncology field to be the next gold standard for the treatment of patients requiring seed implants. Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers is the first hospital in the Midwest to own the device to facilitate this approach.

    CT based prostate seed implantation is extremely accurate since it allows the radiation oncologist to visualize in real time exactly where the radioactive seeds are being placed and to see with high definition the structures to avoid treating.

    Generally, eligible patients have early stage prostate cancer with a low PSA (prostatic specific antigen) and a low Gleason Score (its aggressiveness under the microscope). For those who qualify, this method allows a quick and easy alternative treatment of prostate cancer in just one session. The patient avoids a long surgical procedure with all of its undesirable side effects or two months of daily radiation treatments.

  • The Siemen's Primus multienergy linear accelerator. The new Siemen's Primus accelerator is the most compact system with the greatest clearance around patients available today. This linear accelerator delivers Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), an advanced cancer treatment that allows the delivery of complex doses of radiation to tumors -- including tumors near vital organs or other sensitive areas -- while minimizing radiation on healthy tissue.

    In addition, a 3-D Multileaf Collimator (3-D MLC) configures varying high-dose rates.

  • Linac based stereotactic radiosurgery. Radionics stereotactic hard and software allow the oncologist to treat a lesion in the brain with the same accuracy as conventional surgery, without having to make an incision into the skull. It is an alternative for patients who have failed conventional radiation therapy and for patients who are not surgical candidates.

    An attachment is made to the linear accelerator and a frame placed on the patient's skull for scanning with the CT scanner. The radiation oncologist identifies the tumor volume to be radiated and prescribes the dose. The physicist develops the best plan and applies stereotactic hardware to direct the beam from the linear accelerator for accurate results.

How we started

The Oncology Center opened its doors in the fall of 1986 with a multienergy linear accelerator and a simulator. In 1987, a second single-energy accelerator was added. Through the years, major investments to the Oncology Center have included:

  • The introduction of high dose rate afterloading for brachytherapy
  • 3-Dimensional conformal treatment planning
  • Department computerization

In 1992, Saint Margaret Mercy was the first hospital in Northwest Indiana to be a Beta Test site for 3-dimensional treatment planning system. The center actively participates in research in the field of oncology. Data from the center has been used in numerous scientific studies and has appeared in journals.

"More than 5,000 patients have been seen and treated at the Oncology Center since its opening," Hoyer-Lareau said. "The center averages 350 new patients annually with common diagnoses in breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers."

© Copyright 2003 Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers.