Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) is a cutting-edge technique that uses advanced imaging systems to monitor the patient’s body surface in real-time during radiation treatment, ensuring precise and accurate delivery. This technology enhances patient comfort by eliminating the need for traditional immobilization devices and allowing for natural breathing and movement during therapy. By continuously tracking the patient’s position and adjusting for any movement, SGRT minimizes radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment.
Comparison Between Both Systems
| Feature | VisionRT | Brainlab ExacTrac Dynamic Surface |
| What It Is | A system that uses special cameras to monitor your body’s surface during radiation therapy. | A system that combines surface monitoring with quick X-ray images to track tumors inside your body. |
| How It Works | Creates a 3D image of your body’s surface and tracks your position in real-time to aim radiation precisely. | Uses cameras to watch your body’s surface and takes fast X-ray pictures to see exactly where the tumor is inside you. |
| Benefits for You | –No Extra Radiation: Uses harmless infrared light, so there’s no additional radiation exposure. – Comfortable Experience: Non-invasive with no need for skin markers or implants. – Quick Setup: Treatment preparation is usually fast and straightforward. | – High Precision: Extremely accurate targeting of tumors, even if they move inside your body. – Versatile Treatment: Can treat a wide range of cancers, including those where tumors shift position internally. |
| Considerations | – Best For: Tumors that align closely with your skin surface, like certain breast cancers. – May Not Track Internal Movement: Less effective if the tumor moves independently inside your body. | – Minimal Extra Radiation: The quick X-ray images add a small amount of radiation. – Slightly Longer Setup: More steps are needed to ensure perfect alignment, which may take extra time. |
| Comfort and Convenience | High comfort due to non-invasive approach and quick setup time. | Still comfortable but may involve a few more steps during setup to achieve high accuracy. |
| Precision Needs | Provides accurate targeting for tumors that move with your body’s surface. | Offers sub-millimeter accuracy for tumors that may move inside your body independently of surface movement. |
| Radiation Exposure | No additional radiation from the tracking system. | Adds a tiny amount of radiation due to X-ray imaging, but it’s minimal. |
| Best For | – Breast Cancer Treatments – Head and Neck Cancers where external tracking is sufficient. | – Lung and Brain Cancers – Spinal Tumors – Cases where tumors move inside the body and need precise tracking. |
| Your Next Steps | – Ask Your Doctor: Is VisionRT suitable for my treatment? – Stay Informed: Understand how this system can benefit your specific case. | – Discuss with Your Doctor: Would Brainlab ExacTrac Dynamic Surface be the best option for me? – Learn More: Get information on how this technology works for your type of cancer. |