For people undergoing radiation therapy, precision is more than a technical consideration. It can mean targeting a tumor more accurately while limiting radiation exposure to the healthy tissues surrounding it. And for patients who may need repeated treatments, it can also mean fewer trips to the hospital and shorter, more comfortable treatment sessions.
These are among the potential benefits of a new TrueBeam radiotherapy system recently launched at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. The system combines advanced imaging, motion tracking and radiation-delivery technologies designed to give radiation oncologists greater control over how treatment is planned and delivered.
According to Dr. Angela Camacho, Head of Radiation Oncology at St. Luke’s Global City, the new system gives doctors greater flexibility in shaping and controlling the radiation beam, allowing them to deliver higher doses to the target while reducing doses to surrounding tissues.
‘The essence of it is it gives us doctors more flexibility and more control over the shape and the dose of the radiation beam that is being delivered to the patient,’ Camacho said.
More precision, less exposure
THE TrueBeam system is a linear accelerator used to deliver radiation therapy for a variety of cancers, including cancers of the brain, head and neck, lung, breast and pelvic areas, when radiation therapy is indicated. The new system comes with four upgrades: RapidArc Dynamic, ExacTrac Dynamic, HyperSight and HyperArc.
One of these, RapidArc Dynamic, combines hardware and software that allow doctors to adjust the shape and dose of the radiation beam with greater flexibility. This allows treatment plans to be tailored to individual patients while helping limit radiation exposure to nearby organs and tissues.
The hospital says the enhanced TrueBeam platform can reduce radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues by as much as 50 percent.
For patients, the difference can translate into fewer side effects, depending on the treatment site and individual treatment plan.
Camacho cited breast and pelvic cancer treatment as examples in which greater control over the radiation beam can help spare surrounding organs. In a breast cancer case, for instance, treatment can be planned to limit radiation reaching the heart. For pelvic treatment, the technology can help spare the bladder.
‘There are side effects, but we expect much lesser compared to the old plans that we get,’ Camacho said.
Fewer sessions for some patients
THE technology may also change how long some patients need to undergo radiation therapy.
Camacho cited breast cancer treatment as an example. Patients who previously received 30 sessions may, under appropriate treatment plans, receive 15 sessions through hypofractionation, a treatment approach that delivers a higher dose of radiation per session.
She noted that studies have shown comparable local control between 30- and 15-session breast cancer treatments, while her team’s experience has seen fewer skin reactions among patients receiving the shorter treatment schedule.
The number of sessions, however, depends on the type and site of cancer and the patient’s individual treatment plan. The technology does not mean every patient will automatically require fewer treatments.
From hours to minutes
FOR patients with certain brain tumors, the change can be even more striking.
HyperArc is designed for treating brain lesions with high-dose radiation. Previously, some patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery had to wear a rigid head frame that was pinned or screwed to the skull. The treatment process could take three to four hours.
With HyperArc, patients can instead use a frameless thermoplastic mask, with treatment taking about 10 to 15 minutes, according to Camacho.
‘It’s very comfortable for the patient. That’s the advantage of this,’ she said.
HyperArc, on the other hand, allows treatments for multiple brain lesions that previously took three to four hours to be delivered in about 10 to 15 minutes using a more comfortable mask.
When the patient moves, the treatment responds
ANOTHER challenge in radiation therapy is movement. The body does not remain completely still, and some organs move naturally as a person breathes.
ExacTrac Dynamic, described by the hospital as a first-in-the-country technology, uses thermal surface and X-ray tracking to detect even subtle movements during treatment. If the patient’s position shifts, the radiation beam can automatically pause until proper alignment is restored.
Camacho explained that this can be particularly useful when treating areas affected by movement, such as the breast, lungs and abdomen.
The system’s HyperSight imaging technology also provides clearer images before treatment, allowing the team to better align the patient and verify the treatment target. Camacho said the new images are much clearer than those previously obtained through cone-beam CT and can make it easier to see changes in a lesion.
Technology with the patient in mind
WHILE the new system represents a significant technological upgrade, Camacho emphasized that its value ultimately lies in how it can improve the treatment experience and give physicians greater confidence in delivering radiation.
‘With all of these technologies that are in store in our new machine, we get better treatment plans for the patient,’ she said.
The new TrueBeam system is the second TrueBeam machine in the department. Camacho said the additional capacity will allow the department to accommodate more patients, while the new system’s specialized technologies can be used for procedures such as treatment of brain lesions.
The investment is part of St. Luke’s effort to bring advanced cancer treatment closer to Filipino patients. The hospital says its goal is to combine advanced technology with specialized oncology care so patients and their families can access sophisticated cancer treatment locally.
For patients facing cancer, however, the significance of the technology may be measured in more personal terms: a treatment that takes minutes instead of hours, fewer sessions when clinically appropriate, greater protection for healthy tissues, and a treatment plan tailored more closely to their individual needs.
As Camacho put it, the goal is greater precision, accuracy and efficiency-ultimately helping doctors deliver the right treatment to the right target while keeping the patient’s safety and comfort at the center of care.