Patients of Aspirus Cancer Care – Wausau are bene- fiting from an advanced treatment option. The recently installed technology, called the Varian Edge™ radiosurgery system, delivers high precision image-guided radiosurgery and is the first of its kind in Wisconsin.

“Radiosurgery with Edge could open the door to treatment options for patients who may not have other options,” said Dr. Christopher Platta, Aspirus radiation oncologist and oncology medical director. “This equipment offers new hope for these patients and is another example of how Aspirus Health remains focused at bringing advanced treatment options to its patients.

The Edge system allows Aspirus radiation oncol- ogists to deliver finely focused beams of radiation to eradicate tumors. It accurately targets tumors and other abnormalities of the brain, spine, lung, and areas that are otherwise difficult to treat surgically, while simul taneously sparing healthy tissue. Radiosurgery treatments can be performed quickly and painlessly. The Edge system is sophisticated enough to also monitor and compensate for motion when a patient breathes. This motion management technology further aids in minimizing the radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissue.

Edge radiosurgery treatments can be performed in just 10 to 30 minutes per day compared to other radiation treatments that can take up to 60 minutes or longer. Faster radiosurgery treatments can be easier for the patient, reducing the time the patient needs to remain still for treatment. The Edge system can also alert the phy- sician if a patient has moved in a way that could compromise the accuracy of the treatment.

“Aspirus Health is committed to bringing the best care to the rural markets it serves,” said Jamie Babbitts, Aspirus service line administrator of oncology and women’s health, “This new technology is an investment in the communities.

About Aspirus Health

Aspirus Health is a non-profit, communi ty-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 11,000 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and 13 hospitals in Wisconsin, 75 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. Aspirus has been recognized for four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health System in its annual study identifying the top-performing health systems in the country. Visit aspirus.org for more information.