McLaren Lapeer Region, part of McLaren Health Care and the leading health care provider in Lapeer County, has expanded its cancer care capabilities in the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region with the introduction of an additional linear accelerator (LINAC) unit. Delivered in an outpatient setting, LINAC is a radiation therapy treatment technology that destroys cancer cells by accurately targeting and delivering a high-energy X-ray beam.
An essential technology for which to treat cancer through radiation therapy, the additional unit includes design and operational features to enhance patients’ care and overall experience. It also allows McLaren Lapeer to provide an enhanced level of care not previously available in Lapeer County, creating convenient access for patients to receive advanced care close to their home.
“We recognize the critical role trust plays in caring for our patients,” said Tim Vargas, McLaren Lapeer Region President and CEO. “Patients battling cancer come to us justifiably scared and nervous, so if we can provide them with technologically advanced care, and one that can help ease their anxieties, that trust between patient and physician is enhanced and adds to our ability to fight this disease.”
The TrueBeam® LINAC unit expansion features technology that conforms the treatment beam to the precise size and unique shape of the tumor in order to spare surrounding healthy tissue and organs from unnecessary radiation exposure. Additional features allow for the expedited adjustment of the beam, which can directly target tumors located in any area of the body.
“We are delighted to bring this new life-saving technology to the people of the region,” said Dr. Justin Klamerus, McLaren Health Care Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. “This equipment brings the most up-to-date technology in radiation therapy to care for our cancer patients and give them the best chance for curative treatment.”
The treatment beam also delivers radiation at a faster dose rate, resulting in shorter treatment sessions.
Adds Dr. Klamerus, “Caring for cancer patients requires a whole team of professionals and at McLaren and Karmanos, we understand the physical and emotional challenges of this disease. We are committed to all of our patients throughout their journeys, and hopefully beating this disease for good.”
The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region, part of the statewide Karmanos Cancer Network anchored by the world-renown Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, is Lapeer County’s leader in cancer care and treatment, bringing advanced technology and the latest clinical trials to patients in the region and throughout the state.
Learn more about all services within McLaren Lapeer Region at mclaren.org/lapeerregion.
About McLaren Lapeer Region
McLaren Lapeer Region is a 222-bed acute care facility located in Lapeer, Michigan, and is the primary provider of health care services to Lapeer County and the surrounding area. McLaren Lapeer Region has received national recognition from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for clinical excellence in orthopedics, pneumonia, congestive heart failure and surgical care. The facility maintains a verified Level II trauma designation and provides comprehensive care in a 29-bed Emergency Center along with specialized services for heart, cancer, orthopedic and general surgery services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, women’s services, wound care services and sleep disorders. Learn more at mclaren.org/lapeerregion.
About McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $6.6 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 13 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 732,838 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 113,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org.