Overview
The TrueBeam Edge is a medical device designed for advanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatments. It is an upgrade of the TrueBeam system, providing higher precision and speed in delivering radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
What is TrueBeam Edge?
The Edge radiotherapy and radiosurgery platform is superior to TrueBeam. It allows radiation oncologists to precisely deliver the radiation treatment while reducing the total treatment time. TrueBeam Edge transforms radiosurgery with its cutting-edge technology. It empowers radiation oncologists to deliver non-invasive radiation treatments for a wide range of brain tumors, head and neck tumors, and other conditions with enhanced precision. Unlike traditional treatments, Edge offers faster recovery times and fewer side effects.
What is the Purpose of TrueBeam Edge?
Following are some of the purposes of Varian’s TrueBeam Edge:
Precision Radiotherapy
TrueBeam Edge has cutting-edge technology to precisely detect tumors and accurately deliver radiation while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
Versatile Treatment Modalities
TrueBeam Edge offers versatile cancer treatment modalities, providing advanced precision and adaptability. Its dynamic features, such as imaging, motion management, and adaptive radiotherapy, allow oncologists to deliver customized, effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Image-guided radiation therapy with TrueBeam Edge uses real-time imaging to identify and track tumors precisely during treatment. It enhances accuracy, customizes cancer treatments, and reduces the impact on healthy tissues.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
TrueBeam Edge radiosurgery delivers stereotactic body radiation therapy, providing highly precise and potent radiation to targeted areas. This advanced technique allows effective treatment of tumors with a lesser impact on surrounding healthy tissues.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an advanced radiation therapy technique that accurately modulates the intensity of the radiation beams to conform to the specific contours of tumors. TrueBeam Edge excels in IMRT, using advanced technology to deliver precise and customized radiation doses.
Rapid Treatment Delivery
This platform offers fast and efficient treatment delivery, with high dose rates and dynamic treatment delivery techniques such as RapidArc and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). It ensures shorter treatment times with enhanced precision and accuracy.
Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART)
This platform allows clinicians to adjust treatment plans based on tumor size, shape, or position changes during treatment. This adaptive approach ensures that the treatment is customized based on the changing anatomy, enhancing precision.
Respiratory Gating
Respiratory gating with TrueBeam Edge is a technique used in radiation therapy to adjust for the patient's natural movement during the breathing cycle of the chest and abdomen. The respiratory gating technology ensures precise tumor targeting and lowers radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
Comprehensive Treatment Planning
As a powerful radiotherapy platform, TrueBeam Edge harnesses the power of both photon and electron beams and thereby offers unparalleled versatility in radiation therapy. Photon beams are used in advanced techniques like IMRT, SBRT, SRS, and VMAT for superior precision treatment of tumors throughout the body. Meanwhile, electron beams are primarily used for superficial lesions; however, they can be used for deeper targets in specific cases. This dynamic combination empowers radiation oncologists to customize radiation treatment to each patient's unique needs.
How Does TrueBeam Edge Work?
Imaging and Positioning
TrueBeam Edge has high-resolution imaging technologies such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and onboard imaging, allowing for real-time tumor visualization and surrounding anatomy. It enables clinicians to locate and track the position of the tumor precisely throughout the treatment.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
TrueBeam Edge can use real-time imaging to target tumors more accurately, minimizing side effects and maximizing effectiveness. This translates to multiple benefits, such as reduced discomfort, faster recovery, and improved quality of life.
Beam Delivery System
With its leading-edge multileaf collimator (MLC) and dynamic beam shaping capabilities, TrueBeam Edge facilitates high-precision delivery of IMRT and SRS. Additionally, this platform integrates seamlessly with IGRT. By delivering targeted doses to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, this platform can potentially lead to better treatment outcomes.
Respiratory Gating
Respiratory gating during radiation treatment with TrueBeam Edge is facilitated by SyncTraX technology. This innovative system tracks tumor motion and controls radiation delivery with impressive accuracy, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Dynamic Targeting
TrueBeam Edge dynamically adapts the radiation beam to the movement and changes in the patient's anatomy during treatment.
Adaptive Radiation Therapy
Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) with TrueBeam Edge involves modifying the treatment plan during radiation therapy based on changes in the patient's anatomy or tumor characteristics.
Integration with Information System
TrueBeam Edge can be integrated with information systems to manage workflows, improve communication, and optimize treatment planning and delivery processes.
What Should You Expect When You Have a TrueBeam Edge Treatment?
Pre-Treatment
Preparing for radiotherapy with TrueBeam Edge involves several steps and specific instructions based on the type of cancer and individual patient factors. These steps include consultation and simulation, medical evaluation, positioning and imaging, skin care, dietary guidelines, clothing, and transparent communication.
During the Treatment
Patient immobilization during radiotherapy with TrueBeam Edge treatment is done for specific procedures only, and the technologists also consider the patient’s medical history. Sometimes, to minimize movement during the treatment, masks and vacuum beds may be used in supine positions. Apart from these, there are other immobilization techniques available too.
Post-Treatment
This treatment does not affect the patient's daily life; radiotherapy with TrueBeam Edge is an outpatient procedure. Depending on the type of cancer treated and the overall health condition, some patients can return to their routine lives immediately after the procedure.
In some cases, patients experience certain side effects. These side effects are temporary in the majority of cases and wear off within weeks to months after the treatment.
What are the Risks Associated with TrueBeam Edge Treatment?
Skin Reaction
Radiation can cause skin reactions in the treated area. It includes redness and irritation, dryness, peeling, and blistering. These effects are temporary and fade sometime after treatment.
Fatigue
Many patients experience fatigue during radiation therapy, which can be due to the body's response to radiation and treatment stress. Fatigue may persist for weeks or months after treatment completion.
Nausea and Digestive Issues
Radiation therapy may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite. It is possible to manage these symptoms with medications and dietary adjustments.
Changes in Bowel or Bladder Function
The vessels in the bowel and bladder become fragile after radiation therapy, resulting in changes in bowel and bladder function.
Psychosocial Impact
The patients undergoing radiation therapy may have a significant psychosocial impact, resulting in stress, anxiety, and an altered body image.
Why should you Choose HCG for TrueBeam Edge Treatment?
When choosing a hospital for radiation treatment with TrueBeam Edge, it is essential to consider factors such as the hospital's reputation, expertise in cancer care, and access to support services. As one of the leading cancer hospitals in India, HCG excels at managing a broad spectrum of cancers with innovative diagnostic and treatment approaches and advanced technology. With Truebeam Edge, HCG brings precision and patient-centricity together and supports the effective management of various types of cancer.
Conclusion
TrueBeam Edge is an advanced radiotherapy system for precise and accurate cancer treatment. Equipped with cutting-edge features, including image guidance, dynamic targeting, and adaptive capabilities, this platform offers customized treatment options with enhanced precision and accuracy, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced side effects.
