THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994 TAG: 9406010116
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940603 LENGTH: Medium
The center will be home to a state-of-the-art linear accelerator for radiation treatment therapy. The linear accelerator is the only conventional mode of cancer treatment that is not currently available in Chesapeake. Though Chesapeake General Hospital does offer chemotherapy, radioactive isotope therapy and surgery for cancer treatment, the linear accelerator is not at the hospital.
{REST} The machine uses the effects of electricity on sub-atomic particles to produce high-energy radiation for treatment. High levels of radiation can kill cells of keep them from growing and dividing. Radiation therapy is beneficial for treating cancer because cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than the normal cells around them.
About 60 percent of all cancer patients are candidates for radiation treatment. Representatives of the new facility expect to treat about 270 patients during its first year in operation.
In 1991, there were 395 cancer patients admitted to Chesapeake General Hospital, according to Mary Frank, a hospital spokeswoman. Of them, 185 required radiation treatment the hospital could not provide. These patients were transferred to other facilities, mostly to DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk.
The new treatment center, which is expected to cost $2.8 million, is a cooperative effort between Chesapeake General and DePaul. DePaul intends to remove an older cobalt treatment unit from service and also to provide some of the staffing required at the new center.
The two hospitals decided to coordinate since two treatment centers in the area are not necessary and they would be competing for the same patients, said Frank.
``We are pleased to be part of this effort to make medical treatments more convenient to patients from Chesapeake. Our expertise in delivering radiation therapy services is known through the community and we are committed to enhancing patient access to this needed service,'' said Kevin P. Conlin, president and chief executive officer of DePaul Medical Center.
``Patients and physicians have been asking us to make this treatment available locally to ease the burden on those families who are dealing with cancer. Chesapeake is a growing area and we are filling a need that has also been growing,'' said Donald S. Buckley, president of Chesapeake General Hospital.
Dr. Mathew Sinesi, a radiation oncologist, will be director of the new facility.
``It's difficult for patients who are sick or debilitated to travel for these treatments, Sinesi said. ``This is treatment that's given on a daily basis for many weeks. In-patients at the hospital currently must be transported by ambulance to other hospitals.''
Sinesi added that the new facility has not only been designed for high technology, but also for patient comfort as well.
``The architects, the administrators and I have been working on this for a long time to make sure that it's as efficient and as comfortable as possible for patients,'' he said.
The new building was designed by Greaves Finch & Associates, architects and planners. It is expected to be in operation by early 1995.
by CNB