Elekta Versa HD
- The machine doesn’t touch you
- You won’t see or feel anything as the treatment is being administered
At St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, we use the latest technologies and up-to-date treatment techniques to achieve the most optimal treatment for you. Below is a list of the different techniques we use:
VMAT is a type of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). The LINAC rotates around you and, can change the shape and intensity of the radiation beam as it targets the treatment site. This means less radiation is delivered to healthy tissue, making treatment delivery more precise.
IGRT is achieved using a variety of systems and is carried out with the use of scans and x-rays to precisely locate cancer in the body. We use cone-beam CT imaging to correctly visualise the treatment area and internal anatomy to ensure accurate delivery of the radiotherapy treatment.
SGRT is a sophisticated stereovision technology that tracks thousands of points on your skin surface. The AlignRT workflow is simple, efficient and proven to provide quicker and more accurate setups, including the option of open-face treatment shells and tattoo-free treatments.
AlignRT continuously monitors you through the entire treatment process and offers automatic beam-hold if you move or rotate in any direction. It enables shorter set-up times and reliable detection.
DIBH radiotherapy is a technique which involves you holding your breath during treatment.
DIBH technique is used for patients with left sided breast cancer as the heart sits behind the left breast and chest wall. As you breathe in and hold your breath, your lungs inflate and your heart is pushed away from your chest wall and, in turn, from the area being treated.
DIBH can also be used on areas including the Lung, Pancreas, Liver and Thorax to reduce tumour motion during treatment. This allows for better targeting of the tumour while protecting the normal healthy organs.
As every patient has different internal anatomy, it is not possible to predict if the DIBH technique will be beneficial until the planning CT scan has been completed. For some people, even when breathing normally, their heart and liver will not be in the respective radiation fields and DIBH is therefore of no benefit.
SRT uses many smaller, thin beams of radiation. The beams are directed from different angles that meet at the tumour. This means that the tumour gets a high dose of radiation, while surrounding healthy tissues get a much lower dose from the individual beams. This lowers the risk of damage to the normal cells.
SRT can be given with fewer treatments than standard radiotherapy. Treatment is normally divided into 1 to 8 sessions. The sessions are spread over a few days, and may take up to 2 weeks. Your doctor or radiographer will explain how many sessions you need and over how many days.
This type of radiotherapy is mainly used to treat very small tumours or a tumour that is in a difficult area to operate on.
SRT is not suitable for everyone. Your consultant can discuss with you whether it is a treatment option for you.