
What are the risks of TrueBeam radiotherapy?
The TrueBeam system can generate three-dimensional images used to fine-tune tumor targeting. These images can be used to fine-tune a patient’s position before and during treatment. TrueBeam radiotherapy is not appropriate for all cancers. Serious side effects, including fatigue and skin irritation, can occur. Treatment times may vary.
What is TrueBeam radiotherapy?
TrueBeam is an advanced radiotherapy system that opens up treatment options for some of the most complex cancers in the head and neck, lung, prostate, breast, abdomen and liver. The TrueBeam system’s advanced imaging and powerful treatment modes allow doctors to tailor treatments specific to your particular cancer.
Why would a patient want to be treated with Varian TrueBeam?
Why would a patient want to be treated with Varian TrueBeam? A doctor may prescribe treatment with the TrueBeam system for many reasons. This technology gives medical professionals the tools to treat many different types of cancers.
Does radiotherapy expose people to radioactive substances?
Does radiotherapy expose people to radioactive substances? Many people, when they hear the word “radiation,” think immediately of radioactive substances. However, no radioactive substances are involved in the creation of the beam by a medical linear accelerator.

What is imaging in radiotherapy?
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is the use of imaging during radiation therapy to improve the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery. IGRT is used to treat tumors in areas of the body that move, such as the lungs.
Is TrueBeam radiation effective?
TrueBeam imaging technology can produce the three-dimensional images used to fine-tune tumor targeting in 60% less time than previous Varian imaging technology. Additional functionality makes it possible to create images using 25% less X-ray dose.
Why are multiple beams used in radiotherapy?
For this treatment, the radiation machine delivers many small beams of radiation at the tumor from different angles around the body. This may allow for radiation to be even more precisely focused .
What is the difference between CyberKnife and TrueBeam?
TrueBeam's onboard scanning systems help the machine correct for any movement as it tracks the tumor cells, even as the patient breathes. CyberKnife offers a similar arrangement, but with treatment times up to two hours due to the low energy photon used.
What kind of radiation does TrueBeam use?
TrueBeam uses a cone-beam CT that uses 25 percent less of an X-ray dose than other image-guided technologies, exposing patients to less radiation. Real-time imaging tools allow clinicians to see the tumor they are about to treat.
How much does a TrueBeam cost?
St. Elizabeth Healthcare has enhanced its cancer treatment services in Fort Thomas with the addition of a TrueBeam Radiotherapy System, a linear accelerator made by Varian Medical Systems that cost nearly $4 million.
Do tumors grow back after radiation?
Normal cells close to the cancer can also become damaged by radiation, but most recover and go back to working normally. If radiotherapy doesn't kill all of the cancer cells, they will regrow at some point in the future.
How long does it take for a tumor to shrink after radiation?
At the same time, if a cell doesn't divide, it also cannot grow and spread. For tumors that divide slowly, the mass may shrink over a long, extended period after radiation stops. The median time for a prostate cancer to shrink is about 18 months (some quicker, some slower).
Is 6 weeks of radiation a lot?
Treatments are usually given five days a week for six to seven weeks. If the goal of treatment is palliative (to control symptoms) treatment will last 2-3 weeks in length. Using many small doses (fractions) for daily radiation, rather than a few large doses, helps to protect the healthy cells in the treatment area.
How many times can you have stereotactic radiation?
This lowers the risk of side effects. Usually you have between 1 and 8 treatments. You might hear a few different terms for stereotactic radiotherapy, which can be confusing. Stereotactic treatment for the body might be called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).
Which one is better Gamma Knife or CyberKnife?
The biggest differences between Cyberknife and Gamma Knife are that Cyberknife is not invasive, offers more flexibility because it does not use a head frame like Gamma Knife, no anesthesia is required, and Cyberknife can treat tumors throughout the body whereas Gamma Knife is limited to the brain and head region.
Which is better CyberKnife or proton therapy?
A growing body of evidence from clinical studies using CyberKnife hypofractionated radiation treatments (high dose in five treatments) shows that CyberKnife provides more effective treatment compared to the proton beam's conventional lower dose fractionation treatment.
How accurate is TrueBeam?
The precision of the TrueBeam system is measured in increments of less than a millimeter. This accuracy is made possible by the system’s sophisticated architecture, which synchronizes imaging, patient positioning, motion management, beam shaping and dose delivery, performing accuracy checks every ten milliseconds throughout the entire treatment. TrueBeam imaging technology can produce the three-dimensional images used to fine-tune tumor targeting in 60% less time than previous Varian imaging technology. Additional functionality makes it possible to create images using 25% less X-ray dose. These images are used to fine-tune a patient’s position prior to and during the treatment process.
What is a true beam system?
What is the Varian TrueBeam system?#N#The TrueBeam ™ system is an advanced radiotherapy system from Varian Medical Systems. It was engineered from the ground up to deliver more powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. It uniquely integrates advanced imaging and motion management technologies within a sophisticated new architecture that makes it possible to deliver treatments more quickly while monitoring and compensating for tumor motion, opening the door to new possibilities for the treatment of lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, as well as other cancers.
How fast is TrueBeam?
Also, TrueBeam is fast. Simple treatments that once took 10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in less than two minutes.
How fast does Truebeam work?
TrueBeam’s powerful technology and pinpoint accuracy makes it possible to deliver fast, precise image-guided treatments in just a few minutes a day.
Can a tumor move as you breathe?
In many cases, tumors can move as your breathe. The TrueBeam system offers a new “respiratory gating” option that synchronizes beam delivery with respiration. This helps maintain accuracy, as the system synchronizes its targeting whenever tumor motion is an issue, for example during lung cancer treatments.
What is TrueBeam imaging?
TrueBeam combines imaging, beam delivery, and sophisticated motion management to accurately and precisely target tumors with speed.
How long does it take to get a true beam?
Treatments with TrueBeam are fast, allowing for reduced chances of tumor motion during treatment, which helps protect nearby healthy tissue and critical organs. Most can be given in just minutes a day. Treatments that once took 10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in less than two minutes.
What is external beam radiation?
External Beam Radiation Therapy (TrueBeam) TrueBeam is an advanced radiotherapy system that opens up treatment options for some of the most complex cancers in the head and neck, lung, prostate, breast, abdomen and liver.
What is a multi leaf collimator?
An accessory called a multi-leaf collimator (or MLC) shapes the beam. It has 120 computer-controlled “leaves” or “fingers” that create apertures of different shapes and sizes. The leaves sculpt the beam to match the 3-D shape of the tumor. These can move and change during treatment to target the tumor and minimize dose to the surrounding healthy tissue.
What is the purpose of TrueBeam?
The TrueBeam system can generate three-dimensional images used to fine-tune tumor targeting. These images can be used to fine-tune a patient’s position before and during treatment.
What is the phone number for the Cancer Institute?
Call the Cancer Institute today for more information at 865-305-9040.
Does TrueBeam play music?
It’s almost as if they are there in the treatment room with you. And as part of this enhancement, TrueBeam has feature that play music during treatment. With shorter treatment times and quieter operation, TrueBeam provides for a more comfortable environment for patients.
What is the purpose of the True beam?
The True Beam provides a variety of treatment techniques, including the most innovative Rapid Arc technology. This technology allows for more precise targeting of your cancer while minimizing radiation to healthy surrounding tissues and organs. With the TrueBeam your radiation treatment will be delivered with unparalleled precision and accuracy, while allowing for a more comfortable experience with shorter treatment times and quieter operation.
What is enhanced communication technology?
Enhanced communication technology enables improved communication between the patient and our therapists if needed during treatment
What is true beam technology?
TrueBeam technology was developed from the ground up to deliver powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. TrueBeam opens the door to new possibilities for the treatment of challenging cases such as cancers in the lung, breast, abdomen, and head and neck as well as other cancers that are treatable with radiotherapy.
How long does it take for Truebeam to work?
TrueBeam’s technology makes it possible to deliver fast, accurate image-guided treatments within just a few minutes per day.
What does closed circuit television mean?
Three closed-circuit television systems with two-way audio mean you can be in constant and continuous contact with the therapist running the machine. It’s almost as if the therapist is in the room with you.
Does Truebeam use less X-rays?
You can be exposed to less X-ray dose with the TrueBeam system. Additional imaging functionality provides the opportunity to use 25% less X-ray dosecompared to earlier Varian imaging technology.
Does the TrueBeam system work with respiration?
Many tumors in places like the lungs move when you breathe in and out. The TrueBeam system includes a new “respiratory gating” option for synchronizing beam delivery with respiration. This helps maintain accuracy, as the system synchronizes its targeting whenever tumor motion is an issue, for example during lung cancer treatments.
How does Truebeam work?
During a TrueBeam treatment, the linear accelerator can rotate around the patient to deliver the radiation. The radiation is shaped and reshaped as it is continuously delivered from virtually every angle in a 360-degree revolution around the patient. Sometimes a marker block device is used to monitor breathing patterns to compensate for breathing motion during the treatment. Most treatments usually take only a few minutes a day.
How is Truebeam radiation divided?
The total dose of radiation is usually divided into smaller doses (called fractions) that are given daily over a specific time period.
How accurate is TrueBeam?
The precision of the TrueBeam system is measured in increments of less than a millimeter. This accuracy is made possible by the system’s sophisticated architecture, which synchronizes imaging, patient positioning, motion management, beam shaping and dose delivery, performing accuracy checks every ten milliseconds throughout the entire treatment.
What is a true beam system?
What is the Varian TrueBeam system?#N#The TrueBeam™ system is an advanced radiotherapy system from Varian Medical Systems. It was engineered from the ground up to deliver more powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. It uniquely integrates advanced imaging and motion management technologies within a sophisticated new architecture that makes it possible to deliver treatments more quickly while monitoring and compensating for tumor motion, opening the door to new possibilities for the treatment of lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, as well as other cancers.
What is the role of a physicist in a tumor?
After their diagnosis, the medical physicist generates three-dimensional diagnostic images (usually CT or MRI) of the tumor and the area around it . They then use these images to specify the dose of radiation needed to treat the tumor. A radiation oncologist will work with a physicist to plan an individualized treatment.
How effective is radiotherapy for cancer?
An effective treatment for cancer, radiotherapy has been used safely for many years—in fact, according to the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), nearly two out of every three cancer patients receive some type of radiotherapy during their treatment.
What is a radiation oncologist?
A radiation oncologist is a doctor who has had special training in using radiation to treat diseases and prescribes the type and amount of treatment. The radiation oncologist may work closely with other doctors and the rest of the healthcare team.
How to contact Truebeam Radiation?
and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, please call 912-819-5704. We look forward to helping you.
What is a true beam CT scan?
With TrueBeam, it allows the radiation onologist to perform this image-guided radiation therapy every day. The CT-scan ensures that the fields are totally accurate and for patients with complex treatment plans like prostate cancer and head and neck cancer, the TrueBeam is also much quicker.
Where is TrueBeam located?
The TrueBeam technology is also operating in the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion’s Radiation Oncology Center - Hilton Head/Bluffton. Along with the quicker treatment times it allows the ability to perform a type of CT-scan, known as the cone beam, before treatment begins.
What is the phone number for Hilton Head?
In Bluffton and Hilton Head call 843-689-6490.
Is TrueBeam more accurate than other imaging systems?
TrueBeam is simply more precise than the prior machines that were available. It’s imaging system provides a significantly higher quality image of the tumor and the surrounding internal organs
What are the advantages?
As a technological device of the highest level in cancer treatment, TrueBeam STx provides the patient with very important advantages.
How does linear acceleration work in radiotherapy?
The system reduces human error to a minimum and checks the accuracy of the application throughout the treatment with millisecond interval checks by the collimator system located in its brain to make sure that the patient is treated as planned. The collimator system in the device makes sure that the radiation is constantly checked so that the patient is able to receive treatment in the most accurate form. The systems that display the treatment table and the patient’s position operating in synchronization increases the speed and accuracy of patient positioning.
What is Truebeam STX?
The Truebeam STx device has been supplemented with a second and more sensitive system that places the patient in treatment position and does respiration monitoring, position control and correction. Thanks to this supplemental system called Novalis- ExacTrac a 6 dimensional position correction is possible. Radiotherapy under the guidance of stronger imaging and the application of rays on the targeted volume with a lower margin are possible with TrueBeam. Thus we are one step closer to preventing healthy tissues from being applied with radiation. With new radiation production and application options designed differently from other treatment devices, the doors have been opened to a whole new era of cancer treatment.
Can gamma knife be used for radiation therapy?
It provides a suitable method for treating lung and spinal tumors and for second series radiation therapy. Radiotherapy with Gamma Knife device treatment accuracy quality is applicable with this device on tumors located in the head which are not suitable for Gamma Knife device treatment because of their size and location.
