The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency recently treated the first patient in Canada with a new system for treating metastatic brain cancer. (Submitted Photo/Saskatchewan Cancer Agency)

By Rob Mahon

New Cancer Treatment

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency first in Canada to use new treatment

Aug 27, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) celebrated a milestone earlier in August when they used a new form of treatment for metastatic brain cancer.

This was the first time a patient had undergone the new treatment anywhere in Canada.

This type of treatment called the HyperArc stereotactic radiosurgery system, is a treatment planning and delivery system that, according to the SCA, delivers reduced side effects in treatment.

“It allows radiation therapists or radiation oncologists to treat small brain tumors with more efficiency and more precise treatment,” said Renee Belitski, director of radiation therapy with the SCA.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, metastatic brain tumors occur when cancer that began somewhere else in the body spreads to the brain and causes a brain tumor. They are five times more common than tumors that originate in the brain.

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“We are actually treating and have been treating stereotactic brain cancer in Saskatoon since 2016,” Belitski said. “It’s a highly precise, highly conformal treatment, so it does require a lot of planning and treatment delivery. This tool helps increase the efficiency of the planning and treatment delivery, and allows that treatment to be done quicker.”

The new system not only allows for treatment to be done more efficiently, but allows it to be done closer to home as well. The Varian HyperArc system was installed at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina earlier this year, thanks to $3.5 million in funding from the Ministry of Health. Having the treatment available in Regina means that patients in the southern half of the province won’t have nearly as far to travel.

HyperArc treatment will be available soon at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre in Saskatoon.

“Patients were being provincially referred to the Saskatoon program,” Belitski said. “So we now have two options for our patients to be referred, both in Regina and Saskatoon. Saskatoon will be rolling out the use of HyperArc in the coming year.”

In their release, the SCA points out about half of the patients who need radiosurgery will benefit from the HyperArc system. Last year, there were 20 patients who needed this form of treatment in Saskatoon.

“I think it is a really big deal for patients to be able to have that treatment closer to home, closer to family,” Belitski said, “especially in a situation with metastatic brain cancer.”

Belitski added the SCA were very proud of this step forward and very grateful for the funding they received to help make it happen.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP