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What Should You Know About RapidArc® - a Technological Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment?
Recent reports show that the cancer survival rates in the U.S. have continued to rise, attributed not only to innovation but also to development of better and safer ways of delivering existing therapies. Stony Brook University Medical Center remains at the forefront of the efforts. We spoke with Allen G. Meek, MD, Chair and Clinical Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology, about RapidArc® - a technological breakthrough being used at Stony Brook University Medical Center-and how it is changing cancer treatment.
What is RapidArc®?
RapidArc® is a radiotherapy
technology that is among the
most advanced forms of intensity
modulated radiation therapy
(IMRT). IMRT is a computer-based
form of radiotherapy that
allows radiation oncologists to
send external beams in the 3-D
shape of tumors in small multiple
doses with precision.
How does RapidArc® work?
First, it uses computed tomography
(CT) or other imaging
technology to pinpoint a tumor.
Then, the technology system uses
this image to guide the radiation
beam to the tumor in one or two
rotations of the machine around
the patient. During treatment, the
radiation beam is shaped and
reshaped as it continuously delivers
beams at virtually every angle in a
360-degree revolution. In short, it
allows us to deliver a high dose of
radiation to kill or sterilize cancer
cells in an extremely precise,
targeted manner, which spares
healthy tissues from damage.
Why is this considered a breakthrough?
For two important reasons. One,
because this delivery system is
easier on patients. RapidArc® delivers
beams two to eight times
faster than conventional radiotherapy,
so patients do not have to
hold still for long periods of time.
This, in turn, makes patients more
comfortable and improves the
quality of care. There is less of a
chance that patients will shift or
move, so the radiation is more
highly targeted.
Second, this precision of delivery means that the radiation goes to where it is needed-the tumor and not the healthy tissue surrounding it. As a result, patients tend to have less intense side effects and can participate more fully in their daily lives during treatment. In the near future, as RapidArc® allows radiation oncologists to get even more precise in the delivery of radiation, they may be able to use even higher doses, which may help control the cancer and prevent it from spreading outside the original tumor site.
Which types of cancers can be treated with RapidArc®?
Currently, we are using this form
of IMRT primarily for patients
with brain, head and neck, lung,
prostate, and spine cancers.
Where is this treatment available?
In Suffolk County, Stony Brook
University Medical Center is the
only hospital with this technology.
To date, more than 150 patients
have been treated with this breakthrough
system and it is just one
of many advanced treatments
available through our Department
of Radiation Oncology. As part of
our role as a cancer referral center
and a regional leader in radiation
oncology, the Department has
invested in the best state-of-the-art
radiation technology, equipment
and systems. We use the most
advanced treatment planning and
information management software
to provide an integrated network
for fast, efficient radiation planning
and treatment that minimizes
waiting time. We believe this is
important not only for the best
possible outcomes but also for the
best quality of life for patients
undergoing cancer treatment.
What other state-of-the-art radiation therapies are
available at Stony Brook?
Stony Brook is also a leader in
image-guided hypofractionated
stereotactic body radiotherapy
(SBRT). With SBRT, the patient is
comfortably immobilized to prevent
motion and one to five high
dose radiation treatments are
delivered to small tumors (less
than two inches), both primary
and metastatic. Tumor targeting is
verified real time either by a cone
beam CT scan or x-ray guidance.
We can even program the radiotherapy
to match a patient's
breathing cycle. In the past,
because of movement caused by the
patient's normal breathing patterns,
we would need to use lower
radiation doses over a wider area
to accommodate the movement.
Today, we can deliver a much
higher dose of targeted radiation
in just one to five treatments versus
25 to 35 treatments of the
traditional lower dose regimens.
This is of benefit to the patient - not
only does the patient have to
come in for fewer treatments, but
there are fewer side effects,
including less damage to healthy
tissue surrounding the tumor.
