Advanced Technology from Cancer Care Experts
At St. Joseph's/Candler, our state-of-the-art technology is integral to top cancer care. The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP), equipped with some of the world's most innovative diagnostic and treatment technologies for all types of cancers, remains at the forefront of knowledge in order to provide the most sophisticated, personalized care to every patient.
Equally important to the technology we provide is applying it so that patients are diagnosed quickly and receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.
Advanced Cancer Treatment Technologies
Comprehensive advanced technologies at the Nancy N. and J.C Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler include:
Aloka system: The Aloka system is a diagnostic ultrasound system that is used by the gastrointestinal department and surgeons to obtain optimal image quality for the staging of gastrointestinal cancers, which helps to determine if pre-operative chemotherapy and radiation are necessary. This system is also useful in the operating room for aiding in the detection of liver tumors.
CyberKnife®: The LCRP will be the only cancer program in the region where patients can be treated with the advanced CyberKnife® for radiation therapy. The robotic CyberKnife® treats difficult tumors with precision radiation and can automatically adjust to the patient's movements, such as breathing, which minimizes surrounding tissue damage.
da Vinci® Surgical System: St. Joseph's/Candler is the only hospital in the region to offer this technology for the treatment of prostate cancer. The da Vinci Surgical System is a sophisticated robotic platform designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. By providing surgeons with superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort, the da Vinci Surgical System makes it possible for more surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures, which ultimately raises the standard of care for complex surgeries, translating into numerous potential patient benefits (less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery).
Double balloon endoscopy (DBE): A double ballon endoscopy is advanced technology for minimally invasive diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of the small intestine. It allows physicians to endoscopically evaluate and treat disorders of the small intestine previously inaccessible without invasive surgery.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS): A minimally invasive, more efficient and accurate method for diagnosing and staging lung cancer.
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT):IGRT helps to verify the accuracy of radiation treatment with the use of daily imaging before treatment begins. Complemented by sophisticated treatment planning software and pre-treatment imaging studies, this technology is particularly accurate in delivering localized radiation because it allows for breathing and daily internal organ changes.
INREACH® developed by superDimension®: Allows for electromagnetic navigation and guidance to distant regions of the lungs in a minimally invasive manner. This technology enables physicians to locate, test and plan treatment for lung lesions and lymph nodes that are difficult to access with traditional bronchoscopy. It also allows the physician to plant a seed next to the tumor for better targeted radiation treatment.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): MRS technology measures chemicals in the body at much smaller quantities than is possible with traditional diagnostic tools. These readings help physicians differentiate between normal and cancerous tissues, which allows cancer to be identified long before a tumor mass would show up on traditional MRI, CT or ultrasound.
MoleSafe mole-mapping technology: MoleSafe creates a detailed record of patient's skin that can be used to monitor changes over time.
PET/CT scans: The LCRP has a Lung Cancer Screening Program for at-risk patients that utilizesCT.
Picture archiving and communications system (PACS): To further promote collaboration among treatment providers, St. Joseph's/Candler installed a PACS, which provides authorized physicians universal access to diagnostic images and reports.
Radiofrequency ablation: Used in tumors of the liver, bone, spleen, pancreas, breast and adrenal glands that provides a reasonable alternative for patients who are not candidates for definitive surgical resections of lung malignancies.
SpyGlass® Direct Visualization System: SpyGlass® provides a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat patients with liver, gallbladder and bile duct conditions by providing a direct visualization of the patient's bile ducts. Allows the gastroenterologist to visualize structures, malignancies and stones and provides a more accurate means of obtaining specimens.
Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: Using a special scope, instrument and camera, physicians can remove lesions in the rectum, eliminating the need for major surgery or colostomy. The best candidates for this surgery are those with polyps low in the rectum or those who have early-stage rectal cancer.
TrueBeam: TrueBeam is an advancement on traditional radiation, this system is more accurate and creates shorter treatment schedules.
Video-assisted thoracic system: Using an endoscope (a tube with a tiny camera on the end) and other small tools that will be passed through several small incisions over the lungs, allows a minimally invasive surgical approach used to diagnose and treat illness or injury to the lung and other organs in the chest cavity.
Breast Care Technology
Computer-aided detection (CAD): CAD assists the radiologist by analyzing mammograms forsuspicious areas that may be indicative of cancer. CAD increases the sensitivity of mammograms by 15 percent; so many physicians utilize this technology as a second reference for their patients.
Digital mammography technology: An advanced diagnostic technique that produces mammograms digitally, instead of producing film and allows for easier manipulation to enhance the quality.
Stereotactic breast biopsy: A simple, non-surgical outpatient procedure that can determine if an abnormality is cancerous. This procedure is quick, painless and decreases the amount of tissue removed for diagnosis.
Research Innovation for Improved Outcomes
As a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) site, clinical research is one of the top goals of the LCRP. Every month the LCRP initiates several new clinical trials and anticipates having trials to offer patients with virtually every type and stage of cancer. Scientific breakthroughs lead to positive changes in the fight against cancer and these trials will assist us in our dedication to deliver the best level of patient care.
For More Information about Advanced Cancer Treatment Technologies
For information about cancer surgical services or comprehensive cancer services and physician specialists at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, please call 912-819-5704. We look forward to helping you.
