Media Release
12 March 2015
Stereotactic Radiotherapy System Replacement Approved
The Southern DHB Board has approved the replacement of the Oncology Stereotactic Planning system, and necessary building
upgrades.
Stereotactic surgery is used to treat brain tumours (benign and malignant), blood vessel abnormalities of the brain,
melanoma of the eye, tumours in the lungs and liver. It can also be used as a tumour-targeted “boost” at the end of
conventional radiation therapy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a way of targeting radiotherapy very precisely at a tumour. It is highly focused radiation
precisely targeting the tumour without the need for a surgical operation. The treatment is provided by a
multidisciplinary team who work with, operate and maintain sophisticated and very complex equipment. This specialist
team comprises radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, neuroradiologists and
neurosurgeons. Each of these disciplines is involved at some stage of every stereotactic procedure.
Photo above: left to right- Amanda Clulee, Stereotactic Specialist, Radiation Therapist; Fergus Churchman, Medical
Physicist Technician; Dr Shaun Costello, Clinical Leader of Radiation Oncology; Jon Bones, Medical Physicist Technician;
Sandra de Vries, Stereotactic Specialist, Radiation Therapist; Dr Friedlieb Lorenz, Principal Physicist and Matthew
Paris Chief Physicist, Professional Director of Medical Physics.
Southern DHB has been national provider for stereotactic radiosurgery since 1994. Replacement of the equipment will
provide the very latest technological advancements for the treatment of all New Zealanders.
Southern DHB Clinical Leader of radiation oncology, Dr Shaun Costello said, “This upgrade is an exciting step forward in
terms of continuing to improve the range of radiation treatment available and we expect improved outcomes and less side
effects as a consequence of this investment.
“The Radiation Oncology Service has consistently provided treatments within the Ministry of Health’s national targets
and guidelines.”
“This is an important advance in technology that will reduce the treatment times whilst improving the accuracy and
delivery of treatment," commented Southern DHB Chief Physicist, Matthew Paris.
ENDS