Clinch Valley Health Upgrades Radiation Oncology Capabilities

Clinch Valley Health announced the total equipment upgrade and cosmetic update in the Cancer Treatment Center located inside of Clinch Valley Medical Center to better meet the needs of its patients and clinicians.

Clinch Valley Health installed a new state-of-the-art model of the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. This device emits the therapeutic beam of radiation to treat the cancerous area within the patient’s body. The principle of radiation therapy that makes it effective in eradicating cancer cells from the body is that cancer cells are more sensitive to the effects of radiation than normal cells. The treatment beam is specifically directed to deliver the prescribed dose of radiation only to the site of disease.

Tony Shrader, Clinch Valley Health’s medical dosimetrist said, “The Versa HD linear accelerator has features that allow us to treat patients with greater precision than ever before. It also offers greater treatment method options, including radiosurgery. This technique is commonly referred to as SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) or SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiosurgery.)  Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a highly focused single treatment, or a shortened course of radiation treatments to a tumor while avoiding surrounding normal structures.”

Clinch Valley Health also installed the industry’s most powerful computed tomography (CT) scanner for radiation therapy and a new Elekta Monaco treatment planning system. This system features the latest technology in treatment planning options and allows for the optimal treatment technique to be configured. The Monaco system allow the medical dosimetrist to plan with the greatest precision dose coverage to the tumor while sparing the normal structures near the treatment site.

The Cancer Treatment Center has also undergone a departmental renovation with new furnishings, cabinetry, walls, and flooring. This creates a calming, aesthetically pleasing environment for care.

 “We recognize the importance of ensuring our patients have access to the latest technologies in radiation therapy so they can receive the care they need right here at home,” said Clinch Valley Health’s CEO Peter Mulkey. “We are committed to caring for our community and are proud of our highly trained, credentialed and compassionate caregivers who help us provide the care our patients expect and deserve.”

Clinch Valley Health provides high quality, compassionate care close to home at the Cancer Treatment Center located inside of Clinch Valley Medical Center. To learn more, please visit ClinchValleyHealth.com.

About Clinch Valley Health

For more than 85 years, Clinch Valley Health has been an integral part of the lives of people throughout southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. Our 175-bed acute care hospital offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services including medical and radiation oncology services, specialty care for the heart, lungs and vascular system, cardiac catheterization lab, 24-hour emergency services, physical rehabilitation, sleep studies, skilled nursing, pediatrics & obstetrics, an advanced wound care center, and advanced diagnostics. 

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