When Morgan City resident Warren Landry learned from his urologist in Lafayette
that he had prostate cancer he began extensive research on finding the
right treatment.
“I wanted to be prepared to make a decision when I met with my oncologist,”
said Landry. “We narrowed it down to brachytherapy or external beam
radiation therapy. I elected the external beam radiation.”
The two categories of radiation therapy are external beam radiation therapy,
usually delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator. The second
category is brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy. Brachytherapy
treats cancer by placing radioactive sources directly into or next to
the treatment area.
“When discussing treatment, my oncologist asked if there was anything
closer to home to reduce my three hour round trip to Lafayette,”
Landry noted. “I mentioned Thibodaux Regional Health System, and
he said the Trilogy system was a great system and suggested I go to Thibodaux
to reduce my travel time.”
The
Varian Medical Systems’ Trilogy™ system delivers three avenues for the most precise radiation treatment
and works by targeting only cancerous areas, which reduces radiation exposure
and damage to healthy tissue surrounding a tumor. It also allows physicians
to treat cancers in areas that were once considered inoperable, such as
the brain and spine.
“This state-of-the-art system makes it possible for us to treat patients
with the most advanced radiotherapy techniques, using the most clinically
efficient processes in the world,” said Dr. William Dunn, radiation
oncologist at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional. “It provides
us with more versatility and precision than we’ve ever had, for
customizing treatments according to the specifics of each patient’s
case.”
Doctors at Thibodaux Regional have been treating patients using the powerful
Trilogy™ linear accelerator and imaging system since 2007. They
use Trilogy’s versatile capabilities through three treatment options:
intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy
(IGRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. The skilled and experienced physicians
and staff at Thibodaux Regional are trained to use the Trilogy system
for any type of cancer that requires radiation treatment.
After meeting with Dr. Dunn and the staff at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux
Regional, Landry was convinced he had chosen the right place for his care.
“I was impressed with everyone, starting with Dr. Dunn and everyone
down,” said Landry. “After the meeting, it was a no brainer.”
Landry began treatment in November 2010 and completed his regiment in January.
According to Landry, the technology and capabilities brought him to the
Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional, but the professional, knowledgeable
and caring employees made his experience more satisfying.
“Although you can never say having cancer treatment is great, all
of the technicians and staff made the experience more than tolerable,”
said Landry. “In my experience as a business owner, I know no matter
how good your equipment is, it’s the people you have that make a
difference. Thibodaux Regional is indeed fortunate to have such people
in Dr. Dunn and his staff. They were extremely professional, and most
importantly compassionate.”
The investment Thibodaux Regional has made in life-changing technologies
and people allows patients, such as Landry, to benefit from the many different
treatment options, depending on the type and severity of cancer. Patients
receive safer, faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatment with fewer
side effects, and these advanced technologies allow staff to see cancer
better, find it faster and treat it more effectively.
About Thibodaux Regional Health System
Thibodaux Regional Health System, a 185-bed acute care facility, provides
inpatient and outpatient care for the people of Lafourche and seven surrounding
parishes. Highly specialized services offered include Heart Surgery, Medical
and Radiation Oncology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports
Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, General, Laparoscopic, and
Bariatric Surgery, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Women’s Services,
Sleep Disorders, Behavioral Health, and Inpatient and Outpatient Physical
Rehabilitation Services.
Nationally recognized for quality care and service, Thibodaux Regional
has been named a Distinguished Hospital by J.D. Power and Associates and
has been honored with the Press Ganey Summit Award for high levels of
patient satisfaction. In 2009, Thibodaux Regional received the Outstanding
Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on
Cancer for the second time and is the only hospital in Louisiana to do so.
For more information about treatments at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux
Regional, visit
www.thibodaux.com/cancer or call (985) 493-4700.