A technology that follows the tumour step by step:
INTELLIGENT RADIATION TECHNOLOGY
Today, great progress is being made in cancer treatment. One of the areas where the most decisive advances are happening is radiation oncology. The MR-Linac, one of the intelligent technologies that target the tumour directly, does not damage the surrounding tissue and so largely preserves patients' quality of life.
What are the features of the MR-Linac?
During treatment, the MR-Linac provides high-quality images in real time and simultaneously sends radiation from the linear accelerator to the tumour targets. Using the high-resolution images obtained by the MRI scanner, it locates tumours and healthy organs precisely.
The volume of tumours treated in this way can be reduced, which minimises the harmful effects of irradiation. Thanks to real-time MRI images, the MR-Linac is a special device that makes it possible to follow the response to irradiation with great precision throughout treatment. It tracks the tumours as they change inside the body, as well as the healthy organs around them, and, if necessary, replans the treatment at each session according to the tumour's current size and shape.
What kind of technology is the MR-Linac?
The MR-Linac is a technology that combines, in a single device, a high-power magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a linear accelerator (radiation beams). Bringing these two powerful technologies together in one device allows radiation oncologists to follow the location of the tumour and observe each of its movements throughout treatment.
Which diseases can it be used for?
The MR-Linac is a radiotherapy device used to treat tumours located in different regions of the body. For example:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Kidney tumours
- Head and neck cancers
- Breast cancer
- Brain tumours
The MR-Linac delivers extremely precise irradiation, particularly in the treatment of small tumours. It plays a decisive role when the disease has spread to different regions of the body, as well as in the re-treatment of patients who have already received radiotherapy.
What distinguishes the MR-Linac from other technologies?
Conventional radiotherapy requires CT scan images used across the various treatment sessions, or a surgical (invasive) procedure to place fiducial markers.
Compared with conventional CT-guided treatments, the MR-Linac provides real-time MRI images with no additional radiation burden during treatment, which reduces the risks of irradiation for the patient. By offering high-quality imaging, the MR-Linac allows better visualisation of tumours. Thanks to the MRI images acquired daily, it makes it possible to see the tumour and the healthy organs around it. The images obtained in real time during treatment make it possible to identify the patient's daily anatomical changes and, if necessary, to apply a treatment method called adaptive radiotherapy. With adaptive therapy, anatomical changes occurring throughout treatment are taken into account immediately, so treatment can be optimised easily.
In this way, the patient's tumour is targeted more precisely, the radiation dose delivered to healthy tissue is kept to a minimum, and healthy organs are protected from unnecessary radiation doses. By reducing toxicity (damage caused by irradiation) in healthy organs, the MR-Linac improves patients' quality of life during cancer treatment.
In cancer treatment, is it used only on its own, or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery?
The decision to use the MR-Linac alone or in combination with other treatments is made by the doctors, individually for each patient.
Is it a technology that can replace surgery in cancer treatment?
The MR-Linac and surgical procedures are different treatment approaches, and neither can replace the other. Even though surgery may be necessary in some cases, devices such as the MR-Linac can widen the scope for using radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The treatment option chosen is determined by the doctor according to the patient's state of health and the type of cancer.
How long does treatment last?
As nothing disrupts daily life after treatment, patients can resume their usual routine. The length of treatment varies according to the area to be treated. Sessions last 30 to 40 minutes. However, if preparation is needed for the area being treated, or if there is significant movement in the region where the tumour is located, treatment may take longer.
The content of this document was prepared by the specialist physicians of Anadolu Medical Center.
Johns Hopkins Medicine does not provide any medical services for Anadolu Medical Center.
The collaboration between Anadolu Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Medicine includes inter-institutional training and quality improvement programmes.