Home News Icon Cancer Centre bringing radiation therapy to St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital

Icon Cancer Centre bringing radiation therapy to St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital

Icon Writers / 10 Sep, 2024

Ipswich cancer patients will soon have greater access to world-leading radiation oncology services and technology, with cancer care provider, Icon Cancer Centre announcing it will provide radiation therapy at Ramsay Health Care’s St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital.

Around 50% of all patients diagnosed with cancer require radiation oncology treatment. This new service means many Ipswich cancer patients will soon be able to access treatment closer to home. 

The new radiation oncology service, based in St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital, will be equipped with a state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator (linac), providing access to world-class treatment options including stereotactic radiation therapy, which is an advanced technique used to treat well defined tumours or high risk postoperative areas, tattoo-less radiation therapy for breast cancer patients, along with HyperArc technology for patients with secondary brain tumours. 

Icon Cancer Centre Australia and New Zealand CEO, Paul Fenton said the partnership between Icon and St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital will enable local cancer patients to access all aspects of their care in one location. 

“We’re proud to partner with St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital to provide locals with a cohesive team of cancer care specialists in one location, delivering world-class cancer care from surgery to day oncology and radiation therapy,” said Paul. 

“By offering the latest in radiation therapy technology and techniques, we will deliver faster and more accurate treatment options for Ipswich cancer patients, while ensuring they can remain close to home.”  

Pictured L-R: Icon Group CEO, Mark Middleton OAM, Radiation Oncologist, Dr Manoja Palliyaguru, Icon Assistant State Manager Queensland, Cassie O’Brien, Icon Cancer Centre Springfield Site Manager, Kurt Burrows and St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital CEO, Michael Lewczuk.

The service will be led by a team of highly experienced local radiation oncologists including, Dr Manoja Palliyaguru, Dr Edward Sia, Dr St.John Newman, Dr Angela Allen, Dr Howard Liu, Dr Marcus Hu and Dr Clare Suttie.  

St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital CEO, Michael Lewczuk said he was excited to add radiation to the hospital’s existing cancer care services including surgery, chemotherapy and allied health services.   

“This is a significant step forward in our region’s healthcare capabilities and will have an invaluable impact on local cancer patients,” said Michael.  

“A cancer diagnosis is difficult for anyone but providing this new service will streamline the treatment process. For patients who need to travel to Brisbane for their treatment, it’s an hour and a half round trip. This new service will help to reduce the burden this places on cancer patients and their loved ones.”  

The new radiation therapy service is expected to open to patients in mid-2025 and will mark Icon’s 20th centre in Queensland and 42nd in Australia. 

  • HyperArc, which accurately targets multiple brain tumours while ensuring limited doses of radiation to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
  • Stereotactic radiation therapy, is an advanced technique used to treat small, well-defined tumours or high-risk postoperative areas. The technology allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the tumour very precisely, without compromising surrounding healthy organs due to the ability to treat with sub millimetre accuracy. This technology also significantly reduces the number of treatment sessions required.
  • IDENTIFY Surface Guidance System, also known as tattoo-free radiation therapy, uses advanced camera technology to facilitate 3D tracking of the skin’s surface during set-up and treatment. This increases accuracy, reduces patient treatment times and eliminates the need to have permanent tattoos.
  • RGSC Gating, state of the art motion management equipment and software technology that tracks a person’s breathing during treatment to ensure increased accuracy of treatment. The technology also allows patients to observe their breathing on a monitor to help them control their breathing so that the treatment will be as short and effective as possible.

Become a patient

Find out how to become a patient at Icon Cancer Centre, or request more information from your nearest centre.

Doctors

Icon brings together some of Australia’s most experienced medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and haematologists.

Lymphoedema screening

Understanding lymphoedema, its causes and how to self-manage the condition helps you take control.

Iconic Community

Our patients share their perspective and advice.
View all News

Search

Quick links
Contact us
Become a patient