During the last decade or more, our Cancer Network has been at the forefront, helping evolve radiation therapy techniques and technologies and building on expertise that is turning the tide toward more personalized cancer care.
In 2016, the Cancer Network added two technological advances: Radixact™, image-guided technology that offers patients more precise treatment of tumors and the Elekta MR-linac, a high-field, MR-guided linear accelerator currently being studied for its treatment capabilities.
Below is a snapshot of developments in radiation therapy technology within the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network over the years.
- 1999
Leksell Gamma Knife® arrives, offering noninvasive treatment for some brain tumors.
- 2003
Froedtert Hospital joins the seven-member global Elekta MR-linac consortium researching MR-linac technology.
- 2005
Froedtert & MCW cancer physicians are among a handful to treat patients with the TomoTherapy Hi-Art® System, the first integrated, image-guided linear accelerator. It uses on-board CT technology to obtain real-time images of tumor position before and after treatment.
- 2006
CT on rails gives Froedtert & MCW physicians new, adaptive treatment capabilities for cancer patients.
- 2008
Froedtert & MCW physicists begin using MRI to help radiation oncologists plan radiation therapy. With its superb soft tissue contrast abilities, MRI allows physicians to target tumors even more precisely than with CT imaging. Locally, the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network is the only cancer program to offer MR simulation.
- 2016
Accuray’s Radixact™ Treatment Delivery Platform arrives. The Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network is the first in the U.S. to treat a patient using Radixact and is one of only six cancer programs in the world to acquire this refinement of Tomotherapy technology, offering increased treatment speed, higher dosing and precision.
- 2017
Elekta MR-linac arrives; Froedtert & MCW researchers begin studying its imaging protocols and capabilities in treatment planning.
A new version of the Leksell Gamma Knife® system (Perfexion™) with Icon™ image guidance enhances treatment of patients’ complex brain lesions.
- 2018
Froedtert & MCW researchers complete MR-linac imaging studies, moving the technology closer to availability for patient treatment.
