Technology and Compassion Key to Morgan City Man's Treatment

When Morgan City resident Warren Landry learned from his urologist in Lafayette that he had prostate cancer he began extensive research on finding the right treatment.

“I wanted to be prepared to make a decision when I met with my oncologist,” said Landry. “We narrowed it down to brachytherapy or external beam radiation therapy. I elected the external beam radiation.”

The two categories of radiation therapy are external beam radiation therapy, usually delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator. The second category is brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy. Brachytherapy treats cancer by placing radioactive sources directly into or next to the treatment area.

“When discussing treatment, my oncologist asked if there was anything closer to home to reduce my three hour round trip to Lafayette,” Landry noted. “I mentioned Thibodaux Regional Health System, and he said the Trilogy system was a great system and suggested I go to Thibodaux to reduce my travel time.”

The Varian Medical Systems’ Trilogy™ system delivers three avenues for the most precise radiation treatment and works by targeting only cancerous areas, which reduces radiation exposure and damage to healthy tissue surrounding a tumor. It also allows physicians to treat cancers in areas that were once considered inoperable, such as the brain and spine.

“This state-of-the-art system makes it possible for us to treat patients with the most advanced radiotherapy techniques, using the most clinically efficient processes in the world,” said Dr. William Dunn, radiation oncologist at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional. “It provides us with more versatility and precision than we’ve ever had, for customizing treatments according to the specifics of each patient’s case.”

Doctors at Thibodaux Regional have been treating patients using the powerful Trilogy™ linear accelerator and imaging system since 2007. They use Trilogy’s versatile capabilities through three treatment options: intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. The skilled and experienced physicians and staff at Thibodaux Regional are trained to use the Trilogy system for any type of cancer that requires radiation treatment.

After meeting with Dr. Dunn and the staff at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional, Landry was convinced he had chosen the right place for his care.

“I was impressed with everyone, starting with Dr. Dunn and everyone down,” said Landry. “After the meeting, it was a no brainer.”

Landry began treatment in November 2010 and completed his regiment in January. According to Landry, the technology and capabilities brought him to the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional, but the professional, knowledgeable and caring employees made his experience more satisfying.

“Although you can never say having cancer treatment is great, all of the technicians and staff made the experience more than tolerable,” said Landry. “In my experience as a business owner, I know no matter how good your equipment is, it’s the people you have that make a difference. Thibodaux Regional is indeed fortunate to have such people in Dr. Dunn and his staff. They were extremely professional, and most importantly compassionate.”

The investment Thibodaux Regional has made in life-changing technologies and people allows patients, such as Landry, to benefit from the many different treatment options, depending on the type and severity of cancer. Patients receive safer, faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatment with fewer side effects, and these advanced technologies allow staff to see cancer better, find it faster and treat it more effectively.

About Thibodaux Regional Health System

Thibodaux Regional Health System, a 185-bed acute care facility, provides inpatient and outpatient care for the people of Lafourche and seven surrounding parishes. Highly specialized services offered include Heart Surgery, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, General, Laparoscopic, and Bariatric Surgery, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Women’s Services, Sleep Disorders, Behavioral Health, and Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation Services.

Nationally recognized for quality care and service, Thibodaux Regional has been named a Distinguished Hospital by J.D. Power and Associates and has been honored with the Press Ganey Summit Award for high levels of patient satisfaction. In 2009, Thibodaux Regional received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for the second time and is the only hospital in Louisiana to do so.

For more information about treatments at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional, visit
www.thibodaux.com/cancer or call (985) 493-4700.

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