First Patient Receives Cancer Treatment with New Technology at Cape Regional

COURT HOUSE – Richard Murphy is considered a friend to the staff of the Thomas and Claire Brodesser, Jr. Cancer Center; from 1990 until 2001 Rich was the Director of Plant Operations at Cape Regional Medical Center. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of the Emergency Department wing which included the construction of the Brodesser Cancer Center in 1999 and 2000. In May, 2000, the Cancer Center treated its first patient and now in May 2012, Richard Murphy was the first patient to receive treatment with the new Varian TrueBeamTM Radiation Therapy system. One might find it an ironic set of circumstances, however, Richard Murphy doesn’t view it that way; he would tell you it is providential.
With his charm and characteristic smile, Rich shared how his diagnosis of lung cancer has posed some deep personal challenges for him. Rich is a full time caregiver to his wife of 50 years Eileen. The news of the new TrueBeam Radiation Therapy technology at Cape Regional Medical Center provided a treatment option which greatly reduced the pressure on him. “I wanted to be the first patient treated with the new technology,” stated Murphy. “The level of expertise combined with the caring and compassion of the staff at the Brodesser Cancer Center is unrivaled, and the fact that they are my friends is an added bonus. I trust them with my life.”
“Mr. Murphy will receive three SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy) treatments versus 30 radiation therapy treatments at another facility almost two hours away,” stated Theresa Netz, RN, ONC, Nurse Director of Radiation Oncology. “Providing Rich with this superior level of quality so close to home affords him a significant reduction of travel time for treatment and minimizes his need to obtain alternative care for his wife. We are pleased to deliver such state of the art care to our patients and to see how hopeful and encouraged they are when they learn about the new treatment options.”
TrueBeam is fast and precise, making it possible to deliver highly accurate image-guided radiosurgery treatments in just a few minutes per day. A complex treatment that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes can be completed in just 5 to 20 minutes. This is important as independent studies have shown that with faster treatments there is less time for tumor and patient movement.
Image guidance tools generate 3-D anatomical images 60% faster, using 25% less radiation dose. Tumors and other abnormalities are targeted with submillimeter accuracy. Even tumors that move when a patient breathes, (for example, those in the prostate, lung or breast) can be precisely targeted due to special tools that compensate for motion throughout treatment.
For a patient brochure on the TrueBeam or information about Cancer Care at Cape Regional Medical Center, please contact Susan Staeger, Marketing Coordinator, at 609-463-2059.
Cape Regional Medical Center is an affiliate of Penn Medicine for Cancer Care and Cardiac Care. It is accredited by and received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission who also awarded it Disease Specific Care Certification in Wound Care and Inpatient Diabetes Care. The Society for Chest Pain Centers recognizes the Medical Center as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. The 242-bed Medical Center is located in the heart of Cape May County. For additional information on the Medical Center and its programs, please login to our web site at www.caperegional.com or contact Sue Staeger, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator at 609-463-2059.
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