The Christ Hospital Health Network is transforming cancer care in Greater Cincinnati with a powerful new alternative to traditional surgery. The Christ Hospital Cancer Center will be the first in the Tristate, and one of six in the country, to receive delivery of the Edge™ radiosurgery system for high-precision radiosurgery. The system is scheduled to be in service by mid-March.

The Edge surpasses the capabilities of Cyberknife and Gamma Knife by more quickly and accurately targeting difficult-to-treat tumors anywhere in the body. Almost everyone in our region is touched by cancer at some point—whether personally, or through a loved one. For our patients, this means less time spent in radiation treatments and destroying cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

“Minimizing the impact on surrounding tissues has the potential to prevent adverse effects,” said Robert Summe, MD, a radiation oncologist with The Christ Hospital Health Network. “For people with lung cancer, damaging normal tissue would exacerbate the tissue already damaged by the tumor and could significantly affect breathing because of the reduction in lung capacity.”

The Edge accurately targets tumors and other abnormalities without an incision or the need for recovery in a hospital setting. Its knifelike beam can accurately target tumors of the lung, brain, spine and other areas that are typically more difficult to treat surgically. The Edge system delivers radiosurgery treatments quickly while monitoring and compensating for motion through the use of advanced imaging and real-time motion tracking technologies. The system incorporates Varian’s Calypso® “GPS for the Body” system for tracking tumor position in real time. Even tumors that move when a patient breathes (for example, those in the lung or breast) can be precisely targeted due to special tools that compensate for motion throughout a treatment. The system also can alert clinicians if a patient has moved in a way that could compromise treatment accuracy. A sophisticated treatment couch with six axes of motion enhances treatment precision by providing additional angles for targeting tumors.

The Edge system can complete these sophisticated treatments in just a few minutes per day. A complex radiosurgery that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes can usually be completed in less than 15 minutes. This is important, as independent studies have shown that with faster treatments there is less time for tumor and patient movement.

The implementation of Edge in The Christ Hospital Cancer Center in Mt. Auburn is part of a larger upgrade to its radiation oncology equipment for cancer patients at The Christ Hospital Health Network. In addition to Edge, the first of two other Varian Medical System machines was installed in phase one of a three-part phase of Cancer Center renovations to be completed in summer 2015. A third machine will be delivered to The Christ Hospital Outpatient Center in Montgomery on Friday, Jan.9. Montgomery will be the first of The Christ Hospital Health Network’s outpatient centers with full-service oncology capabilities beginning in spring 2015.

The Christ Hospital Health Network offers comprehensive services to patients in our region for any cancer or blood disorder. In addition to the best radiation oncology equipment, here is just a glimpse of what makes us highly ranked in the region by U.S.News & World Report:

• World-renowned physicians trained at some of the best medical institutions in the country.
• Best surgical oncology procedures in the country for breast cancer.
• Treats more women’s cancers that any other institution in Ohio.
• Latest screening and prevention techniques for cancers of the lungs, colon, rectum, skin and breasts.
• Clinical trials for highly sought after cancer treatments still in phases of research.
• Survivorship plans for on-going patient monitoring.
• Holistic programs to heal the mind and body including Yoga, pet therapy, Zen garden and an upcoming demo kitchen.

For more information about cancer services, call 513-585-EDGE or go to TheChristHospital.com/Cancer.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is a regional system of care that extends The Christ Hospital’s 125 years of exceptional care and leadership to more than 100 locations in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Network delivers integrated, individualized healthcare and wellness services through its comprehensive physician network, advanced specialty services and the region’s Most Preferred Hospital (National Research Corporation). Its mission is to improve the health of our community and create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, affordable care and the finest experiences. To learn more about its locations and award-winning services, visit TheChristHospital.com.