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  NOVALIS: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Pre-Operative Applications of Shaped Beam Surgery:

At the Robert J. Flavin Shaped Beam Surgery Center, we are always thinking about the future and how to expand our ability to treat patients. One area currently under review is the combination of radiosurgery with conventional surgery. In many instances, tumors located within the body are first removed with conventional surgery before other medical treatments are given to the patient. Initial research conducted at the Cancer Center has shown that by treating the tumor first with Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery before removing it, in essence killing the tumor, the potential for metastatic disease in the patient may decrease. The first areas to be considered for treatment will be prostate and colorectal cancer.

TREATMENT FOR BRAIN TUMORS
    What you can expect as a Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery patient.
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Step 1: Fitting the Head Frame or Mask
In preparation for your procedure, the neurosurgeon will fit a frame or mask to your head. The head frame is designed to hold your head still and align reference markers in a fixed position relative to your head during the imaging part of your treatment, and during the actual delivery of radiation

Step 2: Diagnostic Imaging
A 'location box' is attached to your head frame, providing necessary reference marks that make it possible to target the exact location of a lesion. Using a CT, MRI, SPECT or angiography, a series of images will be taken to precisely define the size and shape of the lesion and its relationship to other structures within the brain. This takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Treatment Planning
After imaging is complete, the location box is removed. You will have a short wait while the planning stage of your radiation treatment is finalized. The pictures are then transferred to the treatment planning computer and Novalis.

Step 4: Positioning and Treatment
Once planning is complete, you will be taken to the treatment room and positioned on the Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery treatment table. Your head frame will be secured to the table, so you will not move during the procedure. Once treatment begins, the Novalis machine will move around you, delivering the specified dose of radiation. You will feel no discomfort and your neurosurgeon and radiation therapists will be able to talk to you throughout the procedure, which only takes about 30 minutes.

Step 5: Head frame Removal
After your Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery is complete, the head frame is removed. You are free to resume all of your normal activities, including normal face and hair washing. In some cases, patients may be asked to spend the night in the hospital for observation.