Cancer Care Center

Bronson Battle Creek Offers Patients Access to the World’s Most Advanced Cancer Center Treatments

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 50,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Michigan during 2005. Some of those cancer suffers now have access to much improved chances for cure thanks to the world’s most sophisticated radiotherapy technology at The Cancer Care Center at Bronson Battle Creek. The system is capable of delivering the most advanced form of radiotherapy that allows physicians to carefully target tumor cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

The Center offers some of the world’s most sophisticated cancer treatments to Southwest Michigan. Included is new radiotherapy technology in the form of a medical linear accelerator and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

“Our linear accelerator allows radiation oncologists and medical physicists to tailor treatment delivery depending on the patients’ particular situations,” said Randy Mudge, M.D., medical director of radiation oncology at Bronson Battle Creek. “The accelerator is outfitted with an important accessory called a multi-leaf collimator. This device, which has 120 computer-controlled mechanical ‘leaves’ is used to shape the beam of radiation so that it conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor being treated.”

The system is also equipped with special software for planning and delivering ultra-precise cancer care called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). To this point, it has been particularly effective in treating patients with prostate and breast cancers; now it is being used successfully with head and neck cancers as well.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of penetrating beams of particles such as x-rays to kill cells that divide rapidly. Radiation can destroy tumors and cancerous cells, but can also affect non-cancerous cells nearby.

IMRT uses computer-generated images to plan and then deliver tightly focused radiation beams to cancerous tumors than is possible from conventional radiotherapy. This enables clinicians to deliver a precise radiation dose that conforms to the shape of the tumor, while significantly reducing the amount of radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. Enhancing the dose of energy to the tumor provides a much greater chance of completely eradicating the growth, rather than simply causing a temporary regression.

“This and other projects enhance Bronson Battle Creek’s capabilities as a cancer treatment center that is already considered among Michigan’s finest,” said Denise Brooks-Williams, Bronson Battle Creek president and CEO. “You don’t have to travel someplace else for great care – we have remarkable cancer care available right here in Southwest Michigan.”

Many cancer treatments take weeks, even months depending upon your disease and its stage. But now, The Cancer Care Center at Bronson Battle Creek offers an accelerated radiation treatment for certain types of breast cancers that can be completed in only five days.

Called Take 5, this cancer treatment is delivered from inside the body and limits exposure of normal, healthy tissue to radiation. This helps minimize side effects such as skin discoloration and scarring, burning, fatigue, and damage to surrounding organs.

The fact that the five-day precise radiation treatment is minimally invasive, coupled with the shorter treatment time, makes it easier for more women to consider the choice of a lumpectomy versus a full mastectomy.

“Our commitment at Bronson Battle Creek is to help the patient find the most effective combination of treatments to beat cancer,” said Dr. Mudge. “A full range of treatment options is available here including surgical procedures, medical oncology, radiotherapy, and clinical trials. In the hands of our exceptional staff, this linear accelerator with IMRT is one more significant tool in our arsenal to fight cancer.”

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