When Precision Counts

By Domenico DelliCarpini, PhD, DABR

In today’s healthcare environment, people diagnosed with cancer have more options than before. Radiation therapy is often one of those options. Delivering the proper prescribed radiation dose to the tumor is essential for long-term cancer control and reducing the incidence and severity of side effects. But because tumors are often located extremely near to vital organs and tissues like the heart or lungs, treatment must be as precise and accurate as possible.

Unlike any other conventional radiation devices, the Radixact® System, using the Accuray Synchrony® real-time target tracking and adaptation technology, can continually track the tumor, and automatically adapt and synchronize the radiation beam to it as the tumor moves within the body throughout the entire treatment session. This helps to ensure the radiation dose is better delivered to the tumor and allows us to increase the dose; thereby, maximizing treatment effectiveness while minimizing the dose to surrounding tissues.

This precise form of radiation treatment can significantly reduce radiation doses outside the tumor that may result in side effects. The Radixact System’s helical design enables the radiation to be delivered continuously from multiple 360-degree rotations around the patient as the treatment table moves the patient at a deliberate pace through the center of the system. This provides greater control of the radiation dose distribution, so it conforms precisely to the tumor and minimizes the dose to healthy tissue.

The Accuray Synchrony® on our new Radixact System is the world’s only real-time motion synchronization technology that does not require uncomfortable patient restraints or inefficient gating techniques. The patients can relax and breathe normally.

For more information, please visit https://halifaxhealth.org/services/cancer-care or call 386.425.HOPE, or speak to your healthcare provider to determine if Radixact Treatment is an option for you.