Cancer Care Center
Battle Creek Health System Offers Patients Access to the
World's Most Advanced Cancer Center Treatments
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be
more than 50,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Michigan
during 2005. Some of those cancer suffers now have access
to much improved chances for cure thanks to the world’s
most sophisticated radiotherapy technology at The Cancer
Care Center at Battle Creek Health System. The system is
capable of delivering the most advanced form of radiotherapy
that allows physicians to carefully target tumor cells without
harming surrounding healthy tissue.
The Center offers some of the world’s most sophisticated
cancer treatments to Southwest Michigan. Included is new
radiotherapy technology in the form of a medical linear accelerator
and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
“Our linear accelerator allows radiation oncologists
and medical physicists to tailor treatment delivery depending
on the patients’ particular situations,” said
Randy Mudge, M.D., medical director of radiation oncology
at BCHS. “The accelerator is outfitted with an important
accessory called a multi-leaf collimator. This device, which
has 120 computer-controlled mechanical ‘leaves’ is
used to shape the beam of radiation so that it conforms to
the three-dimensional shape of the tumor being treated.”
The system is also equipped with special software for planning
and delivering ultra-precise cancer care called Intensity
Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). To this point, it has
been particularly effective in treating patients with prostate
and breast cancers; now it is being used successfully with
head and neck cancers as well.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the
use of penetrating beams of particles such as x-rays to kill
cells that divide rapidly. Radiation can destroy tumors and
cancerous cells, but can also affect non-cancerous cells
nearby.
IMRT uses computer-generated images to plan and then deliver
tightly focused radiation beams to cancerous tumors than
is possible from conventional radiotherapy. This enables
clinicians to deliver a precise radiation dose that conforms
to the shape of the tumor, while significantly reducing the
amount of radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. Enhancing
the dose of energy to the tumor provides a much greater chance
of completely eradicating the growth, rather than simply
causing a temporary regression.
“This and other projects enhance Battle Creek Health
System’s capabilities as a cancer treatment center
that is already considered among Michigan’s finest,” said
Patrick Garrett, BCHS president and CEO. “You don’t
have to travel someplace else for great care—we have
remarkable cancer care available right here in Southwest
Michigan.”
“Our commitment at Battle Creek Health System is to help
the patient find the most effective combination of treatments
to beat cancer,” said Dr. Mudge. “A full range
of treatment options is available here including surgical procedures,
medical oncology, radiotherapy, and clinical trials. In the
hands of our exceptional staff, this linear accelerator with
IMRT is one more significant tool in our arsenal to fight cancer.”
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