| Rapid Arc radiotherapy is a fast, precise form of | | | | quality of care and make our patients more |
| radiation treatment using advanced technology from | | | | comfortable. |
| Varian Medical Systems. The new Rapid Arc | | | | Rapid Arc radiotherapy treatment is delivered with |
| treatment is two to eight times faster than | | | | just a single rotation of the treatment machine |
| conventional forms of radiotherapy. This precision can | | | | around the patient. During that rotation, the |
| make a significant difference in the patient's outcome. | | | | treatment beam is continually shaped and reshaped |
| This treatment, which takes about 90 seconds, is | | | | according to the size, contour and position of the |
| delivered significantly faster than traditional radiation | | | | tumor within the body. The beam shaping is |
| therapy, where treatment time can last 20 minutes | | | | accomplished using a beam-shaping device called a |
| or longer. Reducing this time means treatment can be | | | | multi-leaf collimator (MLC). This device has 120 |
| delivered before the patient becomes uncomfortable | | | | computer-controlled mechanical "leaves" or "fingers" |
| and potentially moves. Rapid Arc makes it possible | | | | that move to create apertures of different shapes |
| for us deliver highly-precise intensity-modulated | | | | and sizes. During a Rapid Arc treatment, specialized |
| radiotherapy (IMRT) treatments quickly. When | | | | software algorithms vary three parameters |
| combined with On-Board Imaging (OBI) and Cone | | | | simultaneously: the speed of rotation around the |
| Beam CAT Scan (CBCT) the ability to visualize | | | | patient, the shape of the MLC aperture, and the |
| tumors in three dimensions improves on accuracy and | | | | dose delivery rate. |
| efficiency of patient treatments. These treatments | | | | This technology is not limited to treating only |
| target tumors while sparing the surrounding healthy | | | | prostate cancer. This can be used for most any form |
| tissues. Because they're fast, Rapid Arc treatments | | | | of cancer, including that of the brain, lung and liver. |
| are also easier on the patient. It's hard for people to | | | | As this technology is continually improved, there will |
| hold still for long periods of time. By delivering doses | | | | be substantial gains in the fight against cancer. |
| more quickly, we can simultaneously improve the | | | | |