The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre is preparing for the installation of a new £3.5milllion AI-enhanced linear accelerator which will allow more patients to be treated on a daily basis.
The centre’s new Ethos therapy system is designed to provide cancer care teams with the ability to deliver personalized, adaptive radiotherapy, within a typical treatment timeslot.
Real-time images can be recorded and treatment plans can be modified if, for instance, organs have shifted or the radiotherapy target has changed shape or size.
Supported software allows clinicians to make changes to treatment plans while the patient is on the table. leading to shorter appointment times, allowing the Beatson WosCC to treat more patients.
A team from Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, which developed and is supplying the Ethos system, introduced medical, radiography, and physics staff to the equipment in a special presentation, prior to installation at The Beatson.
Martin Glegg, Acting Head, Radiotherapy Physics, said: “This is revolutionary new equipment which will offer improved treatment to our patients.”
“We are all excited by the prospect of being able to use this impressive technology which I’m sure will make a positive contribution to our work here at The Beatson.”
Staff will now be trained on an emulator system, allowing them to build an understanding of how to use the planning and treatment delivery software which is part of the Ethos system
Head of Therapy Radiography Eithne MacPherson added: “All our radiographers have a wealth of experience and knowledge and the new equipment will allow us to make even better use of what we know when we are treating patients.”
Adele Lyons, Varian’s Zone Head Great Britain and Ireland, said: “Varian is proud to collaborate with the Beatson Cancer Centre to make this advanced cancer treatment technology available to the patients across the region. We look forward to working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to help ensure a smooth delivery and installation.”