Pittsburgh-based UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant has upgraded its radiation oncology capabilities with a new linear accelerator that allows for faster, more precise radiation therapy.
The Varian TrueBeam system enables stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, which deliver high-dose, high-precision radiation in fewer sessions. Some treatment plans that previously required 20 to 30 sessions can now be completed in as few as one to five.
The upgrade is expected to “exponentially” increase capacity beyond the 9,100 radiation treatments performed in 2025, Elizabeth Piccione, MD, president of UPMC Passavant, said in a Jan. 22 news release.
The technology upgrade also allows patients to stay in their community for care. Previously, patients had to travel to UPMC’s Shadyside or Oakland campuses in Pittsburgh for treatment.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant is one of more than 70 UPMC Hillman centers across Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Ohio and internationally in Italy, Ireland and Croatia.
Leave a Reply