HANOI, Vietnam, April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinmec International Hospital here in Hanoi has commenced offering cancer patients advanced radiotherapy with a new Clinac® iX medical linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR).
The Clinac iX system enables the hospital to deliver intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), and some forms of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Equipped with Varian's RapidArc® technology, the new accelerator can deliver treatments quickly so that more patients have access to these modern treatment techniques. The clinic is also using Varian's Eclipse™ treatment planning software to target tumors precisely while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. Early treatments at the hospital are focusing on thoracic cancers, gynecological cancers, head & neck cancers, prostate cancers, and localized lymphoma.
"It is very important that cancer patients in this country can benefit from the most modern forms of radiotherapy," said radiation oncologist Dr. Doan Trung Hiep, MD, MSc. "This excellent device has an advanced image guided radiotherapy system that makes it possible to deliver fast, targeted treatments to tumors even as they move and change over time. It also means we can expand the range of tumors we can target with our first stereotactic radiosurgery treatments."
Vinmec International Hospital is the first radiotherapy center established by the Vinmec International Hospital Joint Stock Company, aimed at helping to bridge the capacity gap in the country. There are more than 90 million people in Vietnam but fewer than 30 linear accelerators are installed in the country's hospitals. Vinmec is planning to establish up to ten private radiotherapy centers by 2020.
"We are committed to establishing a world-class radiation oncology capability in Vietnam with more modern equipment, trained clinicians and a radiotherapy education program," said Dr. Doan Trung Hiep. "Vinmec is proud to be working with Varian to develop this treatment capability for our patients."
Michael Sandhu, Varian's VP global market development, said, "We are honored to be working with Vinmec to offer advanced treatment technology for the benefit of cancer patients across Vietnam. Through initiatives such as this and through our educational programs such as 'Access to Care', Varian is working to expand access to modern radiotherapy globally." Varian's first Access to Care program was launched in Vietnam earlier this year, with 15 students combining internships at local hospitals with sessions at a specially-equipped training center in Hanoi.
Editorial contact:
Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, and image processing software and workstations for use in medical, scientific, and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 6,800 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter