Taipei University to Install Proton Treatment Center

New technology enables intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) by modifying dose levels on a spot-by-spot basis throughout the treatment area. Scanning beam technology makes it possible to combine irradiations from multiple angles in an optimal manner to improve control of dose distributions.

Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, CA, USA) has signed an agreement with YongLin Healthcare Foundation by which Varian will provide its ProBeam proton therapy system for deployment at the National Taiwan University (Taipei). The YongLin Healthcare Foundation will donate the system to the University.

Varian, under the purchase agreement, will provide the technology to equip three treatment rooms, two with gantries that rotate around the patient and one as a fixed-beam room. In addition to the ProBeam system, Varian will provide its ARIA information management and Eclipse treatment planning software products. The expected total value of the agreement is estimated to be about USD 100 million, including long-term operations and maintenance services. Equipment installation is expected to take place in mid-2017, with patient treatments expected to begin in the second half of 2018.

Proton therapy makes it possible to treat specific types of cancer more precisely and with potentially fewer side effects than is possible with conventional radiation therapy. With proton therapy, the risk of damage to healthy tissues is reduced. The method can be applied for many of the most common types of cancer and offers advantages when treating tumors close to radiosensitive tissues. In pediatric patients the risk of developing a new, radiation-induced cancer later in life can be reduced.

The technology has already been installed at the Scripps Proton Therapy Center (San Diego, CA, USA). Varian proton therapy technology is also in place at the Rinecker Proton Therapy Center (Munich, Germany), and the Paul Scherer Institute (Villigen, Switzerland). Varian has contracts to install ProBeam systems at six additional centers.

Varian Medical Systems is a world-leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices.

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