HFAH Acquires Advanced Technology for Cancer Treatment

Henry Ford Allegiance Health is the first hospital in Michigan and one of the first in the United States to acquire the Halcyon™ system for cancer treatment. The sophisticated technology with CT image-guided radiation therapy increases treatment precision, poses less risk to healthy tissue and significantly reduces treatment time.

Halcyon conforms the radiation beam to the exact size and shape of the tumor for precise targeting. This highly streamlined process allows patients to complete a treatment session in as little as 10 minutes, minimizing the risk of patient movement and increasing both safety and quality.

“The speed and simplicity of Halcyon make it well-suited to handle the majority of cancer cases, including prostate, lung, breast, head and neck, and many other forms of cancer,” said Annette Kretzler, MD, Henry Ford Allegiance Radiation Oncology.

Multiple features of the Halcyon system further ensure patient safety. The patient lies on a wide couch that moves through the machine for simultaneous imaging and treatment. A two-way intercom and a couch-mounted camera create a close connection between patient and therapist, making it easy to monitor activity and communicate throughout the Halcyon treatment session. Touch-guard technology makes it possible to pause treatment or motion if necessary, and automated machine preperformance checks take place daily.

The machine’s smooth and quiet motion, combined with soft ambient lighting, promotes patient comfort and relaxation and makes the cancer treatment experience less intimidating.

Additional media

High resolution images of the Halcyon system at Henry Ford Allegiance Health are available for download.

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with primary and community-based to support patients across the health continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region.

About Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System is a six-hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. Henry Ford provides both health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. Henry Ford Health System is led by President & CEO Wright Lassiter III.

Contact

Contact: Vicky Lorencen
Cell: (517) 262-8917
Email: vlorenc1@hfhs.org