Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has become the first care provider in the region to offer adaptive radiation therapy, marking a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment.
This innovative approach leverages artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art technology to deliver highly precise radiation therapy. By using a linear accelerator integrated with real-time imaging, clinicians can assess the tumor’s size, shape, and position during each session, allowing for immediate adjustments to treatment plans.
Unlike traditional radiation therapy, where treatment follows a fixed plan despite changes in a patient’s anatomy, adaptive radiation therapy accounts for daily variations caused by factors such as digestion or tumor shrinkage. This ensures more accurate targeting of cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
“This tool gives us the ability to modify treatment plans on the spot, accommodating daily changes in a patient’s anatomy,” said Mark Farrugia, highlighting the program’s role in enhancing treatment precision and patient outcomes.
The new therapy enables oncologists to deliver higher radiation doses directly to tumors while reducing side effects, improving both safety and effectiveness. Patients with cancers in areas prone to movement or change stand to benefit the most from this advancement.
One patient, Bill Doughtery, shared how the treatment helped protect his remaining kidney while effectively targeting cancerous areas, describing the approach as life-changing.
The introduction of adaptive radiation therapy has been supported in part by contributions to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, which funds research, education, and patient care initiatives.
With this launch, Roswell Park reinforces its commitment to advancing cancer care through innovation, aiming to deliver better outcomes with fewer side effects for patients across the region.
