Stereotactic Radiotherapy System Replacement Approved

Media Release

12 March 2015

Stereotactic Radiotherapy System Replacement Approved

The Southern DHB Board has approved the replacement of the Oncology Stereotactic Planning system, and necessary building upgrades.

Stereotactic surgery is used to treat brain tumours (benign and malignant), blood vessel abnormalities of the brain, melanoma of the eye, tumours in the lungs and liver. It can also be used as a tumour-targeted “boost” at the end of conventional radiation therapy.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a way of targeting radiotherapy very precisely at a tumour. It is highly focused radiation precisely targeting the tumour without the need for a surgical operation. The treatment is provided by a multidisciplinary team who work with, operate and maintain sophisticated and very complex equipment. This specialist team comprises radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons. Each of these disciplines is involved at some stage of every stereotactic procedure.

Photo above: left to right- Amanda Clulee, Stereotactic Specialist, Radiation Therapist; Fergus Churchman, Medical Physicist Technician; Dr Shaun Costello, Clinical Leader of Radiation Oncology; Jon Bones, Medical Physicist Technician; Sandra de Vries, Stereotactic Specialist, Radiation Therapist; Dr Friedlieb Lorenz, Principal Physicist and Matthew Paris Chief Physicist, Professional Director of Medical Physics.

Southern DHB has been national provider for stereotactic radiosurgery since 1994. Replacement of the equipment will provide the very latest technological advancements for the treatment of all New Zealanders.

Southern DHB Clinical Leader of radiation oncology, Dr Shaun Costello said, “This upgrade is an exciting step forward in terms of continuing to improve the range of radiation treatment available and we expect improved outcomes and less side effects as a consequence of this investment.

“The Radiation Oncology Service has consistently provided treatments within the Ministry of Health’s national targets and guidelines.”

“This is an important advance in technology that will reduce the treatment times whilst improving the accuracy and delivery of treatment," commented Southern DHB Chief Physicist, Matthew Paris.

ENDS

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