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Jan 29, 2008 4:49 pm US/Eastern
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Health Alert: The Cyclotron
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A revolutionary cancer fighting tool arrived in Philadelphia this morning. The device called a cyclotron will be part of the new Roberts Proton Therapy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
Once the hefty piece of equipment is fully assembled it will weigh a whopping 220 tons which is about the same as a 747 airliner.
The massive cyclotron is used to accelerate atoms to near light speed in order to create a precise beam of radiation. It's highly targeted dose of energy will kill cancerous tumors without damaging nearby healthy tissue and organs.
"It would have been great if I was hooked up with something like that," said prostate cancer survivor, Bruce Mulford.
He had his prostate removed after being diagnosed with the disease which also runs in his family.
"My brother died of cancer. My mother died of cancer. I'm sure if they had a chance for something like that it would have been a miracle," said Mulford.
Ralph Muller, Pennsylvania Health System CEO, is excited about the new arrival.
"This will be the biggest proton therapy center in the whole United States," said Muller.
Once the center opens next year, it's expected to treat 100 patients a week including children. It will be most useful in treating brain, spine and prostate cancer.
"We know that it has better outcomes than the cancers that have been treated around the United States so far," said Muller.
While it's too late for Bruce and his family, he's happy for future patients.
"The fact that it's going to save a lot of lives, it's quite a miracle I'd say," said Mulford.
The second half of the cyclotron is expected to arrive tomorrow. The Roberts family donated 15 million dollars for the new facility.
VISIT:
http://pennhealth.com/perelman/proton
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