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Kelsey-Seybold Clinic's Cancer Center First in Houston to Offer New Radiation Therapy System, Varian’s Edge
The EdgeTM Radiosurgery System delivers highly focused treatments, in fewer sessions while minimizing the dose received by surrounding healthy tissues
Houston (February 16, 2016) – Less than a year after unveiling the remodeled Cancer Center in the new wing of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Main Campus, the radiation therapy suite has outfitted a second vault with Varian’s EdgeTM, the latest technology in radiation therapy and radiosurgery. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is the first to offer cancer treatment using the Edge’s technology in Houston and is only one of 200 centers offering this highly specialized treatment option to cancer patients in the country.
Providing this level of radiation therapy to our patients here at Main Campus is a significant moment for the Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, accounting for nearly 1-in-4 deaths. We have a responsibility to our patients and the community to make sure we have the technology and services available to provide this level of care.
When the newly remodeled Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center opened in the spring of 2015, the Varian TrueBeam was installed with plans to add a second machine in a few years. Demand for radiation services greatly exceeded expectations and the second machine, the Varian Edge was installed in January 2016. The Edge adds new capabilities to Kelsey-Seybold’s growing radiation services including the ability to treat hard to reach cancers like those of the brain, lung, spine, liver, prostate, and pancreas.
An advantage cancer patients can expect from treatment with the Varian TrueBeam and the Varian Edge is the added benefit of the Vision RT technology, a real-time motion management tool that helps ensure patients are in the correct position before and during therapy. This helps protect normal tissue from the highly focused beams used to treat cancer cells.
“After the Cancer Center expansion and addition of onsite radiation therapy last year, we heard from many of our patients how grateful they were to have the ability to access coordinated care – and highly specialized cancer care – in the same place where they see their doctors,” said Dr. Tejash “TJ” Patel, Chief of Hematology and Oncology. “Having everything under one roof helps transition patients from one treatment platform to another without the added inconvenience of having to go to multiple locations – it’s a benefit that means a lot to our patients as they to go through treatment.”
The Varian Edge was selected as the radiation machine of choice because of the added capability for radiosurgery. Radiosurgery is an effective treatment for many different types of cancer, using sophisticated technology to deliver precise and accurate beams of radiation to a tumor while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissue. It’s an important alternative to invasive surgery for tumors that are close to critical organs and are subject to movement in the body during radiation therapy. Radiosurgery is typically best suited for early stage cancers and small metastases and can be used in combination with other treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and/or immunotherapy. It also can be used alone as the best course of treatment for certain tumors. As opposed to surgical procedures used to remove cancer tissue, radiosurgery does not require anesthesia and there is little risk of infection since a surgical incision is not required.
“Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is one of the most difficult moments in a person’s life,” said Dr. Patel. “Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center has a long history of providing exceptional, highly-coordinated and personalized care. We are pleased to continue to add this latest technology to enhance patient care and comfort during treatment.”
About Kelsey-Seybold
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is Houston's premier multispecialty group practice, founded in 1949 by Dr. Mavis Kelsey in Houston's renowned Texas Medical Center. More than 850 physicians and allied health professionals practice at 40 locations in the Greater Houston area. Kelsey-Seybold offers quality medical care in 65+ medical specialties. The organization operates the largest freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center in the state of Texas and offers state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam and Varian Edge radiation therapy technology at a nationally accredited Cancer Center. An accredited Sleep Center, comprehensive laboratory services, advanced imaging and diagnostics, 24 onsite Kelsey pharmacies and one specialty pharmacy, and MyKelseyOnline, a secure web portal, are part of its comprehensive offerings. Kelsey-Seybold partners with major insurers to offer value-based commercial health plans. KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area beneficiaries and affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, has achieved the coveted 5-out-of-5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for eight consecutive years.
Kelsey-Seybold has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and is home to a nationally accredited Breast Diagnostic Center and Endoscopy Center.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 91. NPS is the global standard for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. An NPS score of 70 or higher is considered by industry experts to be "world class" and an indicator of overwhelming customer loyalty.