SPECIALISTS at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) have taken a major step forward in radiotherapy cancer treatment with the installation of a state-of-the-art HyperSight imaging system.
The advanced CT imaging system, allows the team to quickly capture higher-quality images during treatment, helping to target tumours more precisely while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy cells.
Radiotherapy uses high doses of X-rays to kill cancer cells, but protecting the surrounding healthy tissue is essential. By lowering exposure, this technology is expected to reduce the side effects patients may experience during cancer treatment.
It will be used to deliver real-time adaptive radiotherapy, with treatment adjusted at each session according to the patient’s anatomy at the time, including any tumour shrinkage.
Only a small number of radiotherapy centres in the UK currently offer this technology, and Newcastle Hospitals will be the first in the north east to make this type of imaging available.
Helen Turnbull, consultant clinical oncologist at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care said: “This innovation represents a huge leap forward in personalised cancer care, by helping us adapt treatment more precisely than ever before.
“Through ongoing research and clinical advancements, we’re working to improve the lives of people living with cancer across the region.”
Around 1,500 new patients every year are set to benefit from this innovation, which will support more than 10,000 individual radiotherapy treatments annually.
Michael Trainer, head of regional radiotherapy physics services at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, added: “By equipping our team with improved imaging technology, they can make more informed decisions during complex treatment situations.
“We are committed to advancing this further through the development of an adaptive radiotherapy solution, bringing this cutting-edge approach to patients across the North East and Cumbria.”
