Acıbadem Sistina Hospital has introduced an advanced linear accelerator fully integrated for performing radiation therapy and radiosurgery. TrueBeam, made by Varian Medical Systems, the renowned manufacturer allows extraordinary precision and efficiency in the treatment of even the most complex types of cancer, such as: lung, abdominal, head and neck, brain and breast tumors.

Prof. Deva Petrova, MD, an oncology specialist, stresses that after 13 years of hard work and dedication, the Department of Oncology and Radiation Therapy at Acıbadem Sistina Hospital continues to confirm its dedication with a significant progress.

“Today, we proudly announce a new era in the treatment of malignant diseases – acquisition of the TrueBeam linear accelerator means that for the first time in our country radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy will be applied. Radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy allow for exceptional precision in the treatment of malignant, as well as some benign tumors, with maximum protection of healthy tissue and a shorter therapy duration. Our mission has remained the same – to provide patients with the most modern treatment and the greatest possible support in their most difficult moments of life”, says Petrova, MD.

At present, the patients have access to therapies with high precision, pace and comfort, while the medical team has the capacity to manage the most complex cancer cases with increased efficiency.

“TrueBeam technology allows us to apply various advanced radiation techniques, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and RapidArc radiation therapy – an advanced form of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). This diversity provides us the opportunity to individualize treatments to the specific needs of each patient, choosing the most relevant technique for any specific case”, explains Prof. Petrova, MD.

According to Dr. Petrova, the TrueBeam treatment of patients includes several key stages: developing an individual therapy plan, performing the treatment and monitoring during the treatment.

“Once all relevant information about the tumor characteristics are collected, a precise treatment plan is prepared determining: the exact dose, duration and dynamics of radiation”, adds Petrova, MD.

Before and during treatment, the TrueBeam system creates high-quality real-time 3D images that allow doctors to precisely track and adjust the patient's position. Thus, the tumor can be visualized with the highest accuracy, significantly increasing the therapy efficiency.

Varian advances the surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) tracking technology by integrating the IDENTIFY system into its TrueBeam systems. This advanced system provides precise patient positioning, movement management during therapy, and real-time tracking that increases the treatment precision, efficiency, and safety, which is crucial for treatments where organs are in motion (for example, during breathing).

“The IDENTIFY system provides prompt and highly accurate tracking of movements during a wide range of treatments and techniques, including: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and breath-controlled treatments. For instance, when breathing, the lungs move as they function, the diaphragm moves the liver, and the TrueBeam system adjusts to these small changes in the tumor position during the therapy”, explains Petrova, MD.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE ONCOLOGY PATIENT TREATMENT

Patient treatment at the Oncology and Radiation Therapy Center at “Acibadem Sistina” is planned by a multidisciplinary approach. The Oncology Medical Consilium, consisting of doctor specialists in different fields, collaborates to provide the most suitable and individualized treatment plan for each patient.

Introducing the TrueBeam, “Acibadem Sistina” once again confirms its focus on patient health, expertise and care, providing radiation therapy care as per the highest world standards and offering techniques that previously were unavailable to our patients.