Canada develops the latest combination of linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging

In a significant development in medical technology, Canadian researchers are working on an innovative system that combines two key medical tools: the medical linear accelerator, which delivers high-energy X-rays for cancer treatment, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), widely used for detailed tumor visualization. This integration aims to enhance radiation therapy by allowing doctors to track the movement of tumors in soft tissues like the lungs, liver, and prostate in real time. Although this advanced system is not yet available in hospitals, scientists from the Cross Cancer Institute at the University of Alberta have successfully demonstrated its potential. Their research highlights the future possibility of improving treatment accuracy and patient outcomes through real-time tumor monitoring during radiation sessions. Meanwhile, a separate team from Stanford University is exploring how such technologies can be applied in clinical settings. Both groups presented their findings at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, held from July 26 to 30, 2009. Imaging-guided radiation therapy has become a critical approach in modern oncology. Traditionally, doctors use implanted markers or CT scans to locate tumors before treatment and adjust the patient's position accordingly. However, these methods may not always provide real-time feedback, limiting precision. Dr. Fallone and his team at the University of Alberta have made a breakthrough by creating the first prototype of a combined linear accelerator and MRI system. He estimates that this system could be ready for clinical use within the next five years. At Stanford, Dr. Sawant and his colleagues, Pauline Kimbs and Paul, are focusing on developing a technique that enables real-time image guidance using MRI and linear accelerators. Current MRI scans typically take several seconds to minutes per frame, but their goal is to speed up the process by tenfold. They are designing specific imaging protocols that allow for high-resolution tumor imaging up to three times per second. One of the main challenges in this integration is managing the strong magnetic fields used in MRI. While these fields produce high-quality images, they can interfere with the operation of the linear accelerator. Balancing image quality with technical feasibility remains a key hurdle in the development of this hybrid system. During the conference, Dr. Sawant and his team showcased their progress, demonstrating the practicality of a fast, real-time MRI-linac system for tumor tracking. This advancement could revolutionize cancer treatment by enabling more precise and effective radiation therapy.

Digestive System

For the treatment of diseases of the digestive system:

Many symptoms can signal problems with the GI tract, including: abdominal pain, blood in the stool, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, incontinence, nausea and vomiting and difficulty swallowing, according to the NIH.

Among the most widely known diseases of the digestive system is colon cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 51,783 Americans died from colon cancer in 2011 (the most recent year for available data). Excluding skin cancers, colon and rectal cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

Polyp growth and irregular cells, which may or may not be cancerous, are the most common development paths for colorectal cancers (also referred to as CRC), and can be detected during a routine colonoscopy, according to Dr. John Marks, a gastroenterologist affiliated with the Main Line Health health care system.

[The best news is that, if caught early enough, they can also be removed during the colonoscopy - eliminating the possibility that they grow further and become cancer," Marks said.

For those patients whose cancer has already spread, there are various minimally invasive surgical options that have extremely good prognoses. It is recommended that asymptomatic patients without a family history begin getting tested regularly between the ages 45 and 50, according to Marks. [Symptoms which may suggest that you need a colonoscopy at an earlier age include rectal bleeding and stool/bowel habit changes which last for more than a few days."

While CRC gets a great deal of attention, many diseases and conditions of the digestive system - including irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, GERD (acid reflux) and Crohn`s disease - can be chronic and are difficult to diagnose and treat, according to Dr. Larry Good, a gastroenterologist affiliated with South Nassau Communities Hospital. [With many of these diseases, blood work and colonoscopies all looks normal, so there is an absence of red flags."

Many of the diseases of the digestive system are tied to the foods we eat, and a number of sufferers can reduce their symptoms by restricting their diets, Good said. [Of course no one wants to hear that they can`t eat certain foods, but many times, eliminating acidic things from the diet, such as tomatoes, onions, and red wine, can have an impact," Good said.

There are a number of tests to detect digestive tract ailments. A colonoscopy is the examination of the inside of the colon using a long, flexible, fiber-optic viewing instrument called a colonoscope, according the American Gastroenterological Association. Other testing procedures include upper GI endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound.

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