Technology

The most current, most advanced cancer-fighting technology.

Better technology leads to better results against cancer. At the Mercy Regional Cancer Center, physicians and patients can take advantage of the most sophisticated cancer technology available.

We invest in technology so our team is equipped with the tools necessary to treat a wide range of cancers. This technology means we often have options from which to choose the most effective and patient-friendly treatment plan.

Our technology arsenal includes tools such as:

TomoTherapy

Iowa's first TomoTherapy delivers painless and precise radiation using Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), which checks the location of your tumor before each treatment. With that information, it can use Intensely Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to precisely target the tumor by modulating - or controlling - the intensity of the radiation beam. This is significant because tumors form in many different sizes, shapes and locations. They may be next to a critical organ in the body, such as an eye, the spine or kidney. IMRT is especially effective in treating cancer occurring in the head/neck as well as prostate cancer and reoccurring cancers.

Hear all about TomoTherapy, typical treatments and more at out Web video resource library.

Trilogy linear accelerator

Mercy's newest state-of-the art tool for fighting cancer. The Trilogy accelerator includes a state-of-the-art computer planning system and provides the latest advancement in image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). The technology allows for personalized cancer treatment, delivering the right dose to the right place at the right time, regardless if the tumor moves, shrinks or changes shape.

Listen as the Mercy Hall Radiation Center's Medical Director explains Trilogy and cancer treatment in greater detail . 

High Dose Radiation Therapy

High Dose Radiation Therapy is used with certain cancers to avoid damaging healthy tissue, and may kill more cancer cells in fewer treatments. High Dose Rate (HDR) treatments are where a radioactive source is placed through a catheter into the tumor or the cavity where the tumor was removed. The number of treatments can be drastically reduced for those patients. The patients that could benefit from this type of treatment are breast (Mammosite), gynecological and lung (Endobronchial Brachytherapy).

PET/CT Scanner

PET/CT scanner enhances and refines diagnosis and allows more accurate detection in pinpointing location and extent of malignancies.

Cryotherapy Ablation

Cryotherapy Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy diseased tissue, including cancer cells for patients with advanced-stage lung cancer.

Prostate Seed Implants

Prostate Seed Implants are 70 to 100 little radioactive seeds are surgically implanted in the prostate to destroy cancerous tissue.

State-of-the-art surgical services

Mercy Regional Cancer Center's surgical treatment removes tumors or parts of tumors in order to control the disease or cure the patient, where possible. This approach can be used as a therapy or comfort measure, as well, to help ease the patient's symptoms and improve their quality of life.

• da Vinci robotic surgical system enables surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures, including prostatectomies and hysterectomies, through very small incisions with unmatched precision.
• Sophisticated surgery suites include voice-activation technology and the latest patient monitoring functions.
  By giving doctors the best tools, we help give patients the best chance to heal.