New radiation technology brings high-precision care to cancer patients in Orangeburg area

MUSC is equipped with exciting new technology to support cancer patients. MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Orangeburg is debuting a linear accelerator – a machine for delivering radiation therapy – that is the most advanced in the MUSC Health system. The state-of-the-art technology marks a major leap forward in cancer care, bringing high-precision treatment options closer to home.

The addition of the accelerator is a huge win for cancer care in the area. The Orangeburg center serves a population across Orangeburg, Calhoun and Bamberg counties in South Carolina, making this both a clinical and community victory.

For radiation oncologist Dioval Remonde, M.D., whose roots in a small town like Orangeburg inspired his commitment to expanding quality cancer care, the new machine is a breakthrough for radiation treatment.

"I know what it's like not to have access to the kind of care available in major cities," he said. "Bringing that technology here is a huge milestone. Patients won’t have to travel long distances to access high-quality, high-tech cancer care."

"I know what it's like not to have access to the kind of care available in major cities. Bringing that technology here is a huge milestone. Patients won’t have to travel long distances to access high-quality, high-tech cancer care."

Dioval Remonde, M.D.

Orangeburg has long provided quality radiation therapy services, supported by a skilled care team. The arrival of the new machine enhances those services by adding greater precision, speed and treatment options. Patients will have access to advanced radiation therapy in the form of the newest version of the TrueBeam linear accelerator, a powerful machine that delivers high-energy radiation with sub-millimeter precision.

Harriet French, radiation therapist coordinator at Orangeburg, agrees wholeheartedly with that sentiment.

“Even before this new addition, our team has been passionate about delivering the highest level of care. For me, our patients and our community have always been the motivation to ensure that, even in a rural setting, our center can offer the most advanced treatments – equal to those at larger facilities.”

Hope Shay, R.N., a nurse practitioner at the frontline of patient care at Orangeburg, described the doors this technology will open for cancer patients.

“It means Hollings can meet the needs of a large, diverse patient population that deserves the best care possible. And it means patients can receive life-saving treatment without leaving their community.”

Making cancer care more precise and accessible

The accelerator is at the forefront of radiation therapy. Not only is it versatile and able to treat cancers throughout the body, but it is also extremely precise. Precision targeting means the machine can destroy cancer cells while largely avoiding healthy tissue nearby.

“It’s laser- and camera-guided, which allows us to more accurately target the tumor and avoid healthy tissue around it,” Remonde said. “That translates to fewer side effects and more effective treatment.”

Patients can expect a safe, painless experience. Treatment sessions will be faster than before, which can make a big difference for people in pain or discomfort.

 

Beyond improved precision and speed, the technology shortens treatment courses for many cancers. For instance, the standard prostate cancer treatment requires 28 sessions over five weeks; with the new machine, that can be reduced to as few as five sessions.

“The machine speeds up treatment so patients spend less time on the table, without sacrificing comfort or accuracy,” Remonde added.

The accelerator also offers therapies that Orangeburg patients have not yet been able to access. These include stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which delivers very high-dose radiation to pinpoint areas, and gated therapy, which times radiation to a patient’s breathing, making it especially useful for lung and breast cancers.

“Without accurate position monitoring, we couldn’t safely offer these treatments because of the risk to healthy tissue,” Remonde explained. “The TrueBeam makes it possible to deliver these high-impact therapies safely and effectively.”

Advancing cancer care for everyone

Importantly, existing patients will also benefit from the new machine. Behind the scenes, the Orangeburg radiation team has been working for months to ensure a smooth transition.

“We proactively designed plans for the new machine so we can transfer patients without disrupting care, interrupting treatment schedules or compromising safety,” Remonde said.

This transition has exemplified coordination and collaboration among medical specialists. While the radiation therapy team learned new workflows to deliver precise treatments using the enhanced capabilities, nurses and physicians provided support by preparing patients and managing their care. Behind the scenes, physicists and dosimetrists handled the complex calculations and technical setup needed to calibrate features like beam angle, radiation dose and targeting approach and updated treatment plans personalized to each patient.

Envisioning continued growth

As momentous as its arrival was, the new machine is just one piece in the center’s broader vision for expansion, which includes plans to develop vascular access accreditations and build out service models that can be replicated in Charleston and beyond.

“We’re proud of what’s happening and want people to know that world-class cancer care is here,” Shay concluded. “It’s important they see Orangeburg not just as a local resource but as leading the way in community cancer treatment.”

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