New tech improves outcomes for Canterbury cancer patients

20 April, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New technology improves outcomes for Canterbury cancer patients

Canterbury cancer patients now have access to ground-breaking radiation treatment, in what is being described by medical professionals as a ‘quantum step forward’ in terms of tumour control.

Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is highly-focused treatment that gives an intense dose concentrated on a tumour, while limiting radiation exposure to the surrounding organ. Recent advancements in technology mean that SABR can now target areas of the body that were previously difficult to treat – such as the brain and spine.

The new treatment is the topic of a workshop being held in Christchurch this weekend (May 21 and 22). The event is being co-hosted by St George’s Cancer Care Centre and the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) oncologists, in what is a unique healthcare collaboration between the public and private sector.

Radiation oncologists, therapists and physicists from New Zealand and abroad will meet to combine their knowledge of SABR in regards to treating the brain and spine. The main objective is to ensure that the treatment becomes available to patients throughout the country.

Dr Chris Wynne, radiation oncologist at St George’s Cancer Care Centre and one of the organisers of this weekend’s event, says SABR is a significant development.

“Previously, if someone had cancer that had spread to their brain we would have had to treat the whole brain,” says Dr Wynne. “Now we can target just the tumour with concentrated, higher doses of radiation resulting in fewer side effects and shorter treatment times – leading to overall cost savings for the health system.”

SABR has already been used in Canterbury to treat lung cancer. The technology is now in place to start treating patients with tumours in the brain and spine.

The workshop is a pooling of expertise that will have benefits to patients throughout the Canterbury region and New Zealand.

“It is highly technical treatment and if offered must be done to world standards,” says Dr Wynne. “The workshop will enable us to combine our current knowledge to ensure treatment techniques are cutting-edge.”

Dr Brendon Anderson, radiation oncologist operating at the CDHB and St George’s Cancer Care Centre, says the collaboration will result in enhanced clinical outcomes.

“With new emerging techniques we need to have a unified approach so we can take this technology forward to all New Zealanders,” says Dr Anderson, who is organising the workshop with Dr Wynne.

“Stereotactic radiation treatment is beneficial in its ability to minimise toxicity, and allows for much higher doses in a specific area – which is particularly important for treating very resistant tumours that may not respond as well to conventional forms of radiation.”

The workshop will be held at both Christchurch Hospital and the St George’s Cancer Care Centre on Saturday. Keynote speakers include leading Brisbane physicist and stereotactic expert Dr John Shakeshaft, along with New Zealand radiation oncologists Dr Louis Lao and Dr Anthony Falkov.

-ENDS-

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