MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Premieres Halcyon™ Cancer Treatment, Becomes First Center with This New Technology in DC/Metro Area

CLINTON, MD—MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center's new cancer treatment center is one step closer toward its completion with the addition of a new cancer-fighting technology in the office of Radiation Oncologist Andrew Satinsky, MD. 

On March 20, Dr. Satinsky began using the new Halcyon™ machine to treat patients. The Halcyon™ is an image guidance system delivering radiation more easily, more efficiently and with greater comfort, without compromising on quality. This results in a treatment that is highly effective in far less time.

“This treatment revolutionizes the quality, expediency, comfort and safety of patients treated with radiation in the state of Maryland,” said Andrew Satinsky, MD. “This is exciting for us because we’re the first center in the DC Metro area to have this, and it means we’re on the cutting edge of technology.”

This new technology involves a low energy X-ray that allows soft imaging of the patient to minimize radiation risks while delivering afterwards a powerful treatment capable of achieving the demands of each patient’s needs. Another advantage includes new software tools that allow clinical evaluations for quick decision making on the need for clinical changes to the treatment, through adaptive radiation therapy.

The first patient to be treated at MedStar Southern Maryland was U.S. Department of Behavioral Health Police Officer John Long, who is receiving this treatment five days per week for two months.

“The process was simpler than I thought,” said Long. “It takes just ten to twelve minutes and they have explained everything to me, really taken the time to explain the process.  I came here because my first impression was good and I haven’t been disappointed.”

Already, MSMHC has expanded its cancer treatment services to include a robust Cancer Committee, which meets throughout the year to discuss the latest innovations in cancer patient care.  It also has a weekly tumor board meeting where a team of physicians in different disciplines meet to confer on cases.  In addition, the hospital’s roster of cancer treatment physicians recently expanded to add Hematologist-Oncologist Eric Rubenstein, MD.

“The acquisition of the Halcyon™ machine is another step toward offering the most state-of-the-art medicine and creating the new cancer treatment center we are building at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center,” said MedStar Southern Maryland President Christine Wray.

This fall, MSMHC plans to open its cancer treatment center. This center will serve as a connector between all disciplines involved in cancer treatment, from the patient to radiation oncologists, nursing, social workers, surgeons, specialists and primary care doctors, allowing the team to tailor care to the individual patient’s needs while collaborating with all care providers, and taking an approach that involves cooperation between everyone involved in a patient’s treatment. The second advantage of this center will be to offer state-of-the-art care close to the residents of southern Maryland.

“The key is to let patients stay near home, in their community, not have to struggle to get to a reputable cancer center.  We know there are physical limitations associated with a cancer diagnosis and the ideal place to heal is at home under the careful watch of family, friends and community,” said Dr. Rubenstein.

For more information about cancer treatment at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, please visit MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/CancerTreatment.

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About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center:

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, located in Clinton, Maryland, is a 176 bed acute care hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland area. The hospital is focused on caring for patients and their loved ones utilizing advanced technology under the guidance of expert clinicians. Quality, Safety, Wellness, and Patient Satisfaction are achieved through a spirit of patient centered services that connect us to the community we serve.

For more information, visit MedStarSouthernMaryland.org.

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