Halifax Health Treats Pancreatic Cancer with Less Invasive System

  • by Lisa Furlong
  • May 20, 2022
  • Categories: Blog, Mom Mental Health and Wellbeing, Podcast, Press Release, Uncategorized, Video

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA – May 20, 2022 – Halifax Health has become the first hospital in Florida to treat early-stage pancreatic cancer using the less-invasive, single-treatment option INTRABEAM intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) system.

“We are proud to be the first to offer this treatment option for pancreatic cancer to residents of East Central Florida,” says Julie Roth, Service Line Administrator for Halifax Health – Center for Oncology.  “Originally used for breast cancer treatment, the IORT system can be used on various cancers,” Ms. Roth said.

Considered an excellent therapy option for individuals with early stages of cancer, this clinically documented radiotherapy delivers a single fraction of low-energy radiation in 20 – 30 minutes during the time of the surgery.  Other forms of radiation therapy can require five to six weeks of treatment with various side effects.

“With this new less-invasive treatment, the small spherical tip of a miniaturized radiation device is inserted into the surgical incision,” says Alvaro Alvarez-Farinetti, Radiation Oncologist at Halifax Health.  He explains, “This option significantly reduces the treatment time and allows patients to get back to their lives more quickly. Patients who have been diagnosed with early-stage cancer should speak with their physician about whether IORT is the right treatment for them,” suggests Dr. Alvarez-Farinetti.

To learn more about the programs and treatments offered by the Halifax Health – Center for Oncology, including the INTRABEAM intraoperative radiotherapy system, visit halifaxhealth.org/oncology or call 386.425.2378.

About Halifax Health Recognized as one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™ in the United States by IBM Watson Health™, Halifax Health serves Volusia and Flagler counties, providing a continuum of health care services through a network of organizations including a tertiary hospital, two community hospitals, an urgent care, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with five outreach locations, the area’s largest hospice, a center for inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, primary care walk-in clinics, a clinic specializing in women’s health, a pediatric care community clinic, three children’s medical practices, a home health care agency and an exclusive provider organization. Halifax Health offers the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC), Center for Transplant Services, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Emergency Department, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, complete Neurosurgical Services, OB Emergency Department and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for babies born earlier than 28 weeks. For more information, visit halifaxhealth.org.

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