Geisinger Wyoming Valley expands cancer-fighting capabilities with breakthrough technology
Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator with BrainLAB’s Novalis provides high-energy radiation, which enables treatment with high doses of radiation while minimizing doses to surrounding, normal tissues.
“Caring for cancer patients and their families is complex and requires a comprehensive approach,” said Dr. Rajiv P. Panikkar, chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “This $4.5 million investment improves patients’ experiences and outcomes. Our team can tackle complex cancers in fewer treatments and even deliver repeat radiation in certain situations.”
This cutting-edge combination is the only platform of its kind in northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Truebeam can generate high-quality, 3-D images of the tumor and the surrounding anatomy. Combined with a 6-D robotic couch system, Truebeam adjusts its targets as natural breathing moves the tumor. The TrueBeam can perform stereotactic radiosurgery, considered the most precise method of delivering a high dose of radiation into the body.
“Tumors are treated with pinpoint precision -- no surgery, no incisions and no post-surgical healing. Treatments that once took 10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in less than two minutes,” said Dr. Anand Mahadevan, radiation oncologist and chair of Radiation at Geisinger. “We’re excited to add this cancer-fighting technology to help patients here in northeastern Pennsylvania.”
For more information, call 570-808-7075.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
