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ExacTrac Gating
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New Radiation Therapy System Offers More Accurate Treatment of "Moving Targets"
Overcoming the challenges of tumor movement with normal breathing
Until recently highly focused radiation treatment to tumors that move during breathing was impossible. Now with John Muir Health's purchase of the ExacTrac® Gating system, a new component of the Novalis Shaped Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy system, more accurate treatment of moving targets is possible. The new adaptive gating capability is critical for treatment of patients with lung and liver disease. In the past, "moving targets" required treatment of a large margin around the affected area to ensure the tumor is covered during breathing movement. In addition, treatment of these larger areas has been subject to associated normal tissue damage. To minimize such damage, the radiation dose was limited in some instances resulting in potentially less than desirable tumor control.
ExacTrac Gating enables precise Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) for moving targets. By matching advanced x-ray imaging of the internal target with the external infrared tracking markers, tumor movement can be continuously monitored in a three dimensional manner ( 3D). Simply stated, the Novalis beam is turned on only when the tumor is on target. Gating allows the radiation beam to be synchronized with the patient's breathing frequency enabling physicians to interrupt the treatment beam in milliseconds and only continue to deliver treatment when the tumor is located exactly in the path of the beam. Studies have shown that up to 50 percent of normal tissue can be spared from radiation using adaptive gating, which translates into reduced side effects and better treatment outcomes.
The Novalis Shaped Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy System at John Muir Health was initially purchased to enhance the treatment of brain tumors and other complex brain malformations by providing a highly accurate and precise method of targeting tumors and brain malformations with radiation using stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy. This treatment is highly effective and spares normal or unaffected brain tissue. This equipment is also able to treat areas outside of the brain with high precision. Now with adaptive gating, the Radiation Oncologist's biggest treatment challenge- moving targets - is made possible.
For more information on John Muir Health's advanced treatments with shaped beam stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy, and adaptive gating, call (925) 947-3250.