Newswise — UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center in Weatherford will undergo a $1.8 million upgrade in its radiation treatment technology and expand its 911 Foster Lane facility to include a chemotherapy clinic.
The improvements include the acquisition of a $1.15 million linear accelerator that will provide some of the most advanced therapy available today, and the addition of a 3,500-square-foot medical oncology clinic at the center. In addition, the center's computerized treatment-planning system will be updated.
The Varian 21EX-d linear accelerator will be installed by early 2005, and construction on the oncology clinic will be complete by late spring said William Craig, executive director of the Moncrief Cancer Center, based in Fort Worth.
"These improvements reflect our continuing commitment to the people of Parker and surrounding counties," Mr. Craig said. "Our new linear accelerator will provide new technical advantages in cancer treatment while the addition of a medical oncology clinic to our center will be a great convenience to our patients and enhance coordination of care for radiation and chemotherapy treatments."
The new accelerator in Weatherford will allow the delivery of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which is known for its ability to precisely target cancerous tumors. That precision is enhanced by Varian's computer-driven collimator, a device that features overlapping "leaves" that customize a higher-dosage radiation beam to the shape of a tumor. This technology minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and organs.
Moncrief, long known for its leading-edge radiation therapy, introduced its IMRT program in 1998 and was the first radiation therapy center in North Texas to offer this treatment option.
Moncrief Cancer Center was founded in 1958 as one of the nation's first community radiation facilities. After UT Southwestern was asked to assume responsibility for its management in 2000, it has broadened the scope of its services and increased the sites at which it serves patients.
Besides its Weatherford center, UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center has four other diagnostic and treatment facilities " its flagship center at 1405 Eight Avenue in Fort Worth, a center in southwest Fort Worth, another in south Tarrant County and the Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center on the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas campus.
The center is named after early-day benefactors W.A. "Monty" and Elizabeth B. Moncrief. Their son Tex, a prominent Fort Worth oilman and philanthropist, has reinforced that family support through vigorous leadership and philanthropic support.
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