MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center recently acquired the advanced technology designed by ExacTrac Dynamic Surface system. This technology enhances the precision of radiation therapy for cancer patients and allows for tattoo-less treatment setups, which improves patient comfort and reduces anxiety. It is particularly beneficial for seniors with mobility issues, as it ensures they receive the latest advancements in radiation therapy without needing to travel long distances to academic healthcare settings.
The system uses thermal-surface cameras to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy by creating detailed images of the patient's surface and using thermal signatures to pinpoint the treatment area. Instead of using permanent skin markers to target radiation, surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRD) employs a tattoo-less approach. It uses optical surface imaging to track the patient's skin surface in real-time, ensuring accurate alignment, and without having to “tattoo” the patient in advance.
“This technology uses 300,000 3D surface points to match the patient’s heat signals from thermal images generated by the thermal camera,” says Linda Chan, M.D., medical director, radiation oncology, Foundation Endowed Chair, MemorialCare Cancer Institute, Saddleback Medical Center. “The detailed mapping provided by ExacTrac enables us to deliver precise radiation therapy, which reduces the risk of side effects and ensures accurate targeting of tumors.”
With the use of three specialized cameras, this unique setup enhances patient monitoring, particularly during breath-hold treatments, and helps standardize the entire radiation therapy process, ensuring a smoother experience for patients. This ensures the radiation beam is precise, sparing healthy tissue from damage from radiation, only hitting cancerous cells.
“The ExacTrac Dynamic Surface system represents a groundbreaking advancement in radiation therapy at Saddleback Medical Center. By harnessing its detailed mapping and thermal imaging capabilities, we can deliver unparalleled precision and effectiveness in our treatments. This technology empowers us to provide the highest standard of care, ensuring our patients receive the most accurate and targeted therapy available.”
- Dr. Chan
Radiation therapy is a primary form of cancer treatment. Many cancer patients will require radiation therapy during some phase of their cancer care, often involving multiple appointments per week over several weeks. A treatment team comprised of a radiation oncologist, registered radiation therapists, oncology nurses, and oncologists work together to ensure the most effective treatment for each patient.