The Dr-Léon-Richard Oncology Centre acquires new equipment to its arsenal in the fight against cancer

Cancer patients will benefit from more precise radiotherapy treatments thanks to the replacement of four linear accelerators at Vitalité Health Network's Dr-Léon-Richard Oncology Centre.

Launched in 2022, this significant project represents a major advancement in modernizing the Centre and improving oncology care in the region.

A linear accelerator is a medical device used to produce beams of photons or electrons, which are directed at cancer cells. These beams also affect the tissues surrounding the tumour, which underscores the importance of equipment precision, explained Sylvain Nadeau, Chief Medical Physicist at the Dr-Léon-Richard Oncology Centre.

"The integration of last-generation accelerators with highly advanced planning software enables us to more accurately visualize the tumour prior to irradiation and adapt to changes that may occur during treatment."

The addition of this new equipment further enhances the Centre's radiosurgery capabilities, enabling the treatment of more complex cases. Radiosurgery has significantly improved clinical outcomes for certain types of tumours.

The activation of the fourth new-generation accelerator is scheduled for February 2025.

The success of this complex project would not have been possible without the collaboration of multiple teams within Vitalité Health Network," emphasized Sylvain Nadeau.

“Infrastructure project managers, biomedical engineering technologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists from the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre all played a crucial role in the successful installation of these accelerators. I am immensely grateful to our team members."

For over 30 years, the Dr-Léon-Richard Oncology Centre at Vitalité Health Network has been a key player in cancer research, diagnosis and treatment. This project highlights the Centre’s continued dedication to delivering innovative, high quality care.