June 13, 2023 — The Cancer Institute at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital is the first in New York State to use the HyperSight imaging solution, which employs state-of-the-art cone-beam computed tomography technology to deliver faster, sharper images during the radiation therapy treatment process. HyperSight has been installed on the hospital’s cutting-edge Halcyon linear accelerator. Enhanced imaging is critical to empowering clinicians to precisely target radiation in cancer patients and reduce radiation exposure to organs and tissue near a malignant tumor. In addition to the quality of images generated, HyperSight’s six-second image acquisition reduces the amount of time patients are required to hold their breath, which may improve their experience and reduce anxiety. These major advancements are part of Northwell Health’s $5 million investment into growing its cancer care in Manhattan.
“Coupling the superior speed and imaging quality of HyperSight with Halcyon’s rapid treatment delivery creates opportunities to move the field of radiation oncology forward a great extent,” said Louis Potters, MD, chair of radiation medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital and deputy physician-in-chief of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. “These technological advancements show that Northwell Lenox Hill remains steadfast in its mission to provide the highest quality, cutting-edge care to our cancer patients.”
Radiation oncologists traditionally used several imaging modalities to deliver image-guided radiation therapy. These techniques, however, not only provided a lower level of acuity and speed required for precise therapy but were also burdensome and uncomfortable for patients. Advancements in imaging technology afford clinicians the ability to adapt treatment plans right in the treatment room based on real-time imaging.
HyperSight, developed by Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, uses faster image acquisition to reduce motion artifacts, utilizes a larger field of view to broadly cover a patient’s anatomy, and applies advanced reconstruction algorithms to increase image quality. These upgrades provide health care professionals with an innovative tool designed to improve targeting of malignant tumors. These advancements allow Lenox Hill clinicians to deliver faster, more precise care.
External beam radiation therapy is a vital part of the multiprong approach to delivering quality, life-saving cancer care at the Cancer Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital. The therapy uses direct application of high-dose radiation to tumors, which kills cancer cells and hinders their growth by damaging their DNA. Between 2015 and 2025, the annual total number of patients receiving radiation therapy during their initial treatment course is expected to increase by 19 percent, from 490,000 to 580,000, according to the National Institutes of Health. To meet this growing need, Lenox Hill procures advanced treatment tools to ensure patients get the most up-to-date care.
Northwell Lenox Hill received a top-50 national rating for cancer treatment in 2022-2023 by U.S. News and World Report. The publication also designated the hospital’s colon, lung, prostate, and gynecologic cancer surgery programs “high performing.” Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting consumers, physicians, and health systems, ranked Lenox Hill among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for prostate surgery for the past eight years.
The hospital also earned a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for its rectal cancer program.
For more information: www.lenoxhill.northwell.edu
May 17, 2024 
