Upgraded Technology, Better Care: Catawba Valley Medical Center Installs Latest TrueBeam Linear Accelerator

Catawba Valley Medical Center is proud to announce the upgrade of our Varian TrueBeam™ Linear Accelerator in the Radiation Oncology program — bringing even more advanced technology to benefit the patients we serve.

For individuals undergoing cancer treatment, time, precision and peace of mind matter. Upgrading to the latest TrueBeam model allows our team to deliver treatments more efficiently and accurately, while maintaining the highest standards of safety. Most importantly, it ensures patients can receive advanced cancer care close to home, surrounded by family and support.

“The newest version of the Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator we just installed continues to improve on the best system available for cancer treatments,” said CVMC’s Director of Radiation Oncology, Len Hurst. “These improvements significantly reduce the amount of time each patient spends on the treatment table, while at the same time increasing treatment precision and image quality. Better image quality and greater precision mean we can see and target the tumor volume more accurately while avoiding all the normal tissues and organs next to the tumor. This means better outcomes and fewer side effects for patients. There are other TrueBeam systems in the area, but none with these updated capabilities.”

The Varian TrueBeam system is designed to deliver highly targeted radiation therapy for many types of cancer. In addition to conventional radiation treatments, it supports specialized therapies such as stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors and stereotactic body radiation therapy for small lung and liver cancers. It also offers respiratory-gated radiation therapy, which carefully coordinates treatment with a patient’s breathing to improve accuracy for cancers affected by natural movement.

What makes this upgraded accelerator especially meaningful for patients are the advanced technologies that improve both the experience and the outcome of treatment. RapidArc® Dynamic technology allows radiation to be delivered faster and more precisely, helping protect healthy tissue while shortening treatment times. That means less time on the treatment table and more comfort for patients.

HyperSight™ advanced imaging provides clearer, more detailed CT images in approximately half the normal time. Enhanced imaging helps our care team visualize tumors with greater accuracy, ensuring radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed.

Catawba Valley Medical Center is also the only facility in the area offering Surface Guidance technology. This innovative system creates a real-time 3D image of the patient’s body and continuously monitors movement throughout treatment. If a patient shifts position — even slightly — radiation delivery automatically pauses so adjustments can be made. This adds another layer of safety and confidence during every session.

Cancer treatment can feel overwhelming. Investments like this are about more than technology — they are about improving the patient experience, increasing safety and delivering advanced, compassionate care right here in our community.

Upgrading to the latest Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator reflects Catawba Valley Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to providing leading-edge cancer treatment close to home, when and where patients need it most.