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September 24, 2010

Radiation Device Promises Faster, More Accurate Cancer Treatments


Stanford Cancer Center recently announced that it will be treating cancer patients with the TrueBeam linear accelerator, which could cut typical radiation treatment times in half. In addition, because the TrueBeam is more accurate than traditional accelerators, the typical course of treatment could be reduced from several weeks to just a few days. The machine can also adjust for movements caused by the patient’s respiration, and sends out radiation only when the tumor is within the beam’s line of delivery. This new technology offers great protection for tissue adjacent to the cancer.

The TrueBeam was developed by Varian Medical Systems of Palo Alto (News - Alert). It features a 4D imaging system that can capture views 60% faster than previous machines, and can cut overall X-ray exposure for by one-quarter. Radiation delivery precision is controlled to within less than a millimeter, and the advanced imaging capability checks for accuracy every 10 milliseconds, continually monitoring more than 100,000 data points.

The machine is large: it measures 9 feet tall and 15 feet long, and weighs more than 9 tons. The TrueBeam’s gantry can rotate in a complete circle to allow treatment from any direction.

According to Richard T. Hoppe, MD, Stanford’s Chair of Radiation Oncology, “this is the most advanced technology that’s available for radiosurgery. When we combine this technology with our expert group of physicians who are developing cutting edge treatment programs, we can treat our patients more rapidly and effectively, and at the same time, more safely than ever before.”

For more information, visit the Stanford Hospitals and Clinics web site.


Ms. Graham is a writer and editor with a current focus on health and wellness. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Erin Monda
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