Radiotherapy using a linear accelerator

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Specialist Doctor II Bui Le Phuoc Thu Thao - Radiotherapy Doctor - Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. The doctor has nearly 15 years of experience in direct treatment of cancer patients, especially radiation oncology and care for terminal cancer patients, palliative care and pain relief.
Radiation therapy is an almost indispensable method of cancer treatment, but today, in addition to conventional radiation therapy, there are many more advanced methods of radiation therapy, including radiation therapy with a linear accelerator.

1. What is linear accelerator radiation therapy?

The modern and popular method of radiation therapy in the world today is external radiation therapy (Radiotherapy) using a linear accelerator LINAC (Linear Accelerator) - a very effective method in cancer treatment. The emitted rays are electrons and photons. When using this type of LINAC, we have two sources of radiation for treatment: the direct electron beam and the photon beam produced by the electron beam striking the counter-pole like in a photocurrent.
Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital is the first hospital in Southeast Asia to own a Truebeam NDS120HD V2.7 radiotherapy accelerator for cancer treatment. This system is installed synchronously with the simulation CT machine, the system can accurately locate the position, size and coordinates of the tumor as well as the lesions on the body and the software to support cancer treatment. The best in the world.. From there, doctors will come up with the most optimal solution to treat patients.

2. How effective is radiation therapy with a linear accelerator?

Until now, radiation therapy for cancer in Vietnam has only been performed with a Cobalt machine. This type of machine does not allow the dose of radiation therapy to be adjusted at will, because as it penetrates the body, the radiation will gradually decrease at a constant rate. In contrast, with the accelerator, the user can change the radiation dose to suit the nature and depth of each different tumor.
For very shallow tumors such as skin lesions, when the radiation of the cobalt machine penetrates the skin to the place, the radiation dose is still too large compared to the required (100% at a depth of 0.5 cm from the skin surface). cm). This case will be handled very well with the accelerator, because the electron beams can be reduced very quickly, meeting the treatment requirements. Moreover, the radiation will be completely lost at a depth of 5 cm. Both of these make healthy areas less susceptible to damage.
For deep tumors, such as a tumor located in the middle of the lung, 8 cm from the skin surface, the radiation dose of the cobalt machine when it comes in here is too low, only 40%, while the radiation dose of the accelerator can reach 70%, making the treatment effective.
In addition, the accelerator is safer because it stops emitting rays when the engine is turned off, while in the cobalt the radioactive material still decays continuously.

3. Who can apply this method?

Linear accelerator radiation therapy is indicated for all cancer patients with indications for radiation therapy.

4. What's special about radiation therapy with a linear accelerator at Vinmec Central Park Hospital?

Radiotherapy with accelerators in Vinmec is performed by highly qualified and experienced doctors. Truebeam NDS120HD V2.7 radiotherapy machine at Vinmec Central Park Hospital is currently the most modern radiotherapy machine in Southeast Asia. At Vinmec Central Park, the most advanced radiotherapy techniques can be performed such as IMRT radiation therapy, VMAT radiation therapy, SRS radiosurgery for brain and central nervous system injuries, SBRT surgery for liver sites. , lungs, head and neck, software....These radiation techniques help deliver the optimal dose of radiation to the target volume and at the same time help minimize the effect of radiation on benign tissues compared to X-rays, reducing the time taken. radiation thereby minimizing the risk of side effects for patients receiving radiation therapy.
This is a high technique that requires experienced experts and a rigorous consultation process to come up with a treatment plan and plan that Vinmec Central Park brings the highest treatment efficiency up to 95% for customers. .
In addition to radiation therapy Vinmec Central Park also has other related applications such as:
VMAT volume-modulating radiation therapy (arc radiotherapy) Conventional SRS and SRS cranial radiosurgery using Hyperarc technology; Radiosurgery using cone ICVI (Integrated Conical Collimator Verification & Interlock system). Localized radiosurgery of the body SBRT Control of tumor location Control of tumor position on imaging by day of treatment (IGRT image-guided radiotherapy). Control tumor movement according to breathing during radiation (4D radiation therapy). Clinical application Radiation therapy for primary and metastatic brain cancer, single and multifocal, Vinmec Central Park Oncology Center is fully equipped with cancer treatment modalities: From surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. The diagnosis is made carefully: blood test, X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, myelogram, myelogram, biopsy, immunohistochemistry, biological diagnosis molecule.
The treatment process is closely coordinated with many specialties: Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Testing, Cardiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Endocrinology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Psychology, Department of Medicine. Nutrition...in order to bring the patient the optimal treatment regimen and the most reasonable cost.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.