Radiation therapy has been nonexistent on island since the only linear accelerator on Guam was destroyed in 2002 by Typhoon Pongsona.
“Since Pongsona destroyed the only linear accelerator on Guam, patients on Guam had no choice but to travel off island for radiation treatment,” said Tanner. “Soon, patients can receive the treatment they need and remain on Guam, close to their families.”
Purchased from Varian Medical Systems earlier this year, the linear accelerator will be delivered next month. After installation, the unit will go under three to five months of intense certification tests before it will be ready to treat patients.
Tanner told Variety that the ground will need to be made “totally level” before the unit is set on its base plate, which is scheduled to arrive on Oct. 5.
Following placement onto the base plate, the unit will be set atop concrete to settle for roughly one to two weeks.
Assuring a level foundation will allow the machine is precise when the actual radiation beam is aimed at the human body, according to Tanner.
Based out of Palo Alto, California, Varian Medical Systems Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for the treatment of cancer and other medical conditions that deal with brachytherapy, radiotherapy, proton therapy and radiosurgery. VMS also supplies software for managing cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices.
Tanner said VMS technical representatives, Kingson Fok and Jimmy Lee, will soon be on island to assist in the installation and testing of the linear accelerator.
“External radiation therapy uses a linear accelerator to precisely aim radiation at tumors and cancerous tissues,” Dr. John Rosoff, cofounder of the Island Cancer Center, explained. “Only cells in and around the cancer are affected.”
Rosoff said radiation therapy is a critical tool for oncologists to treat patients with cancer.
The ICC facility, which is an expansion project funded by the Guam Surgicenter, also expanded its parking lot this month, and also expects its Guam Interdisciplinary Clinic to be completed this calendar year.
With the projected completion of the Island Cancer Center officials expect the Guam Surgicenter to convert into a five-bed specialty hospital by next year.
Construction of the cancer center is underway at the Guam Medical Plaza, and specialized medical talent is being sought out.
“We’re hiring doctors and cancer therapists who have excellent people skills as well as clinical knowledge” said Tanner. “We believe patients are more confident and may have better outcomes when they are in a caring and supportive environment. We’re thrilled to bring comprehensive cancer care back to Guam.”
