TrueBeam Advanced Radiation Technology Targets Tumors with Exceptional Accuracy and Speed

For patients with cancer, five or ten less minutes in a treatment room can be a blessing on the long road to survivorship. TrueBeam, a radiotherapy system developed by Varian, was designed with this kind of improved patient experience in mind, but that is only one reason why this advanced tool was installed at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. 

 
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 

For physician referral information, please contact us at either convenient location:

In Savannah call 912-352-1700.

In Bluffton and Hilton Head call 843-689-6490.

How It Works

As its name suggests, the TrueBeam delivers a radiation beam that targets the cancer and keeps exposure to healthy cells to a minimum. No incisions are made; the noninvasive TrueBeam rotates around the patient to deliver the radiation dose from different angles. It is not appropriate for all types of cancer.

Most patients who are determined to be good candidates for this technology can expect treatments to last 10 minutes or less. Though previous machines were often able to deliver treatment in 10 to 15 minute treatments, the time saved not only enhances the patient experience but also lowers the potential for patient motion during treatment.

Now in the Low Country

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.

With TrueBeam, it allows the radiation oncologist 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.

The higher quality imaging helps radiation oncologists to ensure that the path of the beam accurately targets the tumor. The TrueBeam is the most advanced radiation machine for daily treatments.

Parallel Advances

The Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion built The CyberKnife® Suite in 2011. A revolutionary radiotherapy tool, the CyberKnife® can deliver radiation beams from over 1200 different angles. So why was it necessary to add the TrueBeam technology?
 
The TrueBeam works on a parallel level to the CyberKnife®. While the machines share some capabilities, there are also some differences between the two.

With both tools available to physicians at the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, every patient can expect to be treated with the most advanced technology available for targeting tumors with radiation therapy.

Technology that not only enhances accuracy but also addresses patient comfort is doubly exciting for both patients and physicians.
 

For More Information about TrueBeam Radiation Technology

For information about cancer surgical services or comprehensive cancer services and physician specialists at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, please call 912-819-5704. We look forward to helping you.

“CyberKnife® is a registered trademark of Accuray Incorporated and is used with permission.”