In August 2023, Stillwater Cancer Center treated its first patient with groundbreaking technology designed for precision radiation therapy. Michael Chacko, medical physicist, was a part of the dynamic, cross-functional team who coordinated efforts to deliver that first treatment.
“I came here because of the MR-Linac,” Chacko said. “I had been working at the Oklahoma Proton Center for nine years. It was a great place, and a short commute from my home, but I wanted to treat patients with the best tools available. This machine is the future of cancer treatment. I couldn’t miss an opportunity to be a part of that,” Chacko said.
The Elekta Unity is an MR-Linac with the ability to provide continuous, anatomy specific MR imaging and comprehensive motion management for precision radiation therapy. With clear images, the care team can target treatment and spare healthy tissue. The enhanced detail allows them to deliver more powerful doses of radiation, cutting treatment time in half. Dr. Nathan Uy, a radiation oncologist, had the bold vision to purchase the machine.
“With image guidance and adaptive planning, we’ve been able to reduce treatment of prostate cancer from the traditional 40 fractions to 20, and we’re on the path to cut it to five,” Dr. Uy said.
According to his care team, the future of radiation treatment focuses on image guidance and daily treatment adaptation. This creates the best results for the patients in the safest way possible with fewer visits to the doctor. Something that’s a real factor for individuals like Gary Springer, who traveled to Stillwater Cancer Center to receive treatment for prostate cancer.
“I’m from Newkirk and when you travel 50-some miles for treatment, that adds up. Coming to a place where everyone knows your name and you’re taken care of means a lot. I was very impressed with the team environment here,” Springer said.
The process to purchase, install and train on the MR-Linac took more than two years. Leading the effort was David Hatfield, a medical dosimetrist and manager of the radiology department. He coordinated communication with all involved, assembled training teams and was part of hiring Chacko, the center’s first full-time medical physicist.
“There’s been years of cooperation with engineers, physicists, construction management folks, I could go on and on.” David said. “From the day the concrete was poured, it’s been all about the patient. Everything was designed around the patient’s experience.”
Stillwater Medical Center’s mission is to provide compassionate and quality healthcare services that are responsive to the needs of the people in the region. This latest innovation plays a part in living that mission out.
“The folks at the Cancer Center were really professional and really good,” said Kenneth Smith, a rectal cancer patient treated at Stillwater Cancer Center. “I didn’t know much about cancer before this. I had lots of questions and they got right to the point and answered me. I’d give them an A+ on everything.”
According to Dr. Uy, MRI treatment isn’t suitable for every type of cancer or every patient. Some patients aren’t eligible because of medical devices, pain or claustrophobia. Those not eligible for the MR-Linac are still receiving state of the art care at Stillwater Cancer Center.
“There’s an impulse to assume you need to go somewhere bigger to receive cancer treatment, but people don’t need to do that around here,” Dr. Uy said. “We have the expertise and the tools to treat almost everything. Our size makes it an intimate experience. We can get to know the patients better and have continuity in the care team.”
The Stillwater Cancer Center manages the care of over 2,200 new patients in oncology and hematology every year. Dr. Uy sees nearly 300 of these patients in radiation oncology. The MR-Linac is being used currently in the treatment of prostate, rectal and brain cancer, with the capability to treat a variety of spine, abdominal and pelvic cancers.
As the technology advances, so does hope for those battling cancer. The Stillwater Medical Foundation is raising funds to supplement the cost and maintenance of the machine. Visit www.smc-foundation.org to learn more or make a gift today.
