U P S TAT E M E D I C A L UNIVERSITY NEWS Syracuse, NY | May 2015
The Vero Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy suite at the Upstate Cancer Center, Syracuse, NY
TARGETING TUMORS WITH PRECISION Upstate is one of a few institutions in the United States offering the Vero, a 9-ton ring of sophisticated cancer weaponry that allows radiation oncologists to pinpoint tumors and deliver stereotactic body radiotherapy with unprecedented precision. The Vero “integrates several state-of-the-art capabilities and technologies into one machine and is designed to locate tumors and direct radiation precisely where it is needed,” said Jeffrey Bogart, MD, who leads the Department of Radiation Oncology.
Jeffrey Bogart, MD
Bogart said the Vero allows for a tightly focused beam of radiation, which is essential when aiming at a tumor that is located near critical structures such as the spinal cord. The system’s advanced imaging capabilities allow providers to locate and track tumors, confirm the location at any point in the treatment process and account for even slight anatomical movements that occur each time a patient takes a breath.
How it works The patient lies on the treatment “couch.” After he or she is positioned, the Vero moves freely around the patient. With its unique pivoting head, the machine moves as necessary to provide unrestricted access to the tumor from nearly any angle. The advanced imaging technology built into the Vero shows a 3D view of tumors and organs in real time. The Vero can be used for many types of tumors and may be used on tumors that have spread and for those that are hard to reach surgically. Once the tumor is identified, the Vero’s precise delivery of radiation is achieved through several beams at different angles and intensities — all directed at the tumor. This means that radiation is concentrated on the tumor and less so on surrounding healthy cells and tissues. The customized treatment provides hope for greater cure rates and fewer side effects. The Vero is housed in a specially constructed vault in the Upstate Cancer Center, which opened late last year and is connected to Upstate University Hospital in downtown Syracuse. Continued on page A7
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