Neurology/Neurosurgery Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery Technology The Latest in Brain Tumor Treatment Clinical Indications A Typical Patient Treatment Procedure For More Information Description Legacy Health System is the first medical facility in the Pacific Northwest to offer Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery the most advanced form of stereotactic radiosurgery technology available today. The new Novalis technology shapes beams of radiation to mirror the exact size and shape of a tumor, treating only the tumor and sparing normal, healthy brain tissue. Legacy also plans to use the new Novalis technology to treat tumors and lesions in other parts of the body. Legacy Emanuel Hospital was the fourth location in the United States to acquire the Novalis system. "It is exciting for Emanuel to be one of the first hospitals in the country to offer this technology," says Leslie McAllister, M.D., Oregon's only neuro-oncologist. She added Novalis to her treatment options when this new technology was introduced at Legacy Emanuel in March 2001. The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center was the first location in the United States to implement the Novalis technology and remains the only other location on the West Coast.(As of April 2002, there are seven centers in the U.S. and several more pending.) Technology offers new hope for cancer patients "Novalis is the single most promising advancement in the treatment of central nervous system tumors," says Dr. McAllister. The Novalis System allows doctors to use an "invisible blade" of radiation on certain types of brain tumors. Because the procedure is non-invasive and painless, it eliminates the risks associated with major surgery. | |
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