The majority of treatments at the Indiana University Department of Radiation Oncology are provided by three accelerators. The Varian Linear Accelerators replaced the first KD2 accelerators and the department’s Sagittaire, which is housed in the same physical location. They were commissioned in 2004, 2006 and 2011. With the added physical space brought on by construction in the department there was room for another identical machine within the new portion of the department. The three machines are nearly identical and treatments on each machine can be interchanged without replanning or calibration. Each machine boasts ultramodern radiation therapy delivery features. A wide variety of energies are available for more deep-seated tumors.
The Varian Trilogy treatment system serves patients with shorter treatment times, less damage to healthy tissues, while offering a wide range of cancer care. The Trilogy system is versatile and reliable, and has become the gold standard for advanced radiotherapy.
Each machine is integrated with computer software, Eclipse™ Treatment Planning System that networks throughout the physics/dosimetry section of the Department. This allows a lack of translational error between treatment planning and delivery of the treatment. Each machine has the capability of real time portal imaging which allows the physician or therapist to review the anatomy being treated with a low radiation exposure correlation between planning targets and actually delivered targets.
Since commissioning, the three accelerators have become the mainstay of radiation therapy for the Department. They have operated efficiently and offered timely, precise treatments. Their similar characteristics have allowed the patients to be treated on any machine, thereby facilitating down time from each machine for scheduled maintenance without disrupting patient flow.
Early in 2019, the Radiation Oncology Department will add the Varian Edge treatment system, for a wide variety of patient treatments, including high-dose radiosurgery.