TrueBeam™ Radiotherapy System Offered in Baltimore

TrueBeam is an advanced stereotactic radiation therapy system which delivers concentrated beams of radiation to tumors anywhere in the body. Each TrueBeam treatment consists of a beam of radiation, or collection of beams, that are generated by a linear accelerator housed inside the TrueBeam system. 

While TrueBeam generates each treatment, it also allows pinpoint positioning and CT imaging using onboard imaging capabilities. The treatment beam can be targeted to a tumor from multiple angles to strike the target in a complete three-dimensional (3D) way. The goal is to deliver the lowest possible dose to the surrounding healthy tissue, while still delivering the maximum dose to the tumor.

At Mercy Medical Center, the TrueBeam system is used to treat challenging cancer cases including prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, abdominal cancer, as well as head and neck cancers. The TrueBeam system is also configured to deliver ablation therapy to brain, lung and liver tumors – a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal tissue through radiation.

TrueBeam rotates around the patient during treatment to image the patient and deliver a radiation dose from almost any angle. The system generates high quality 3D CT images of the tumor and surrounding organs throughout the treatment process. These images are used during each treatment session to maximize targeting accuracy and reduce excess radiation to healthy tissues. From these images, our doctors are able to "see" the tumor they are about to treat and target tumors with accuracy in increments of less than a millimeter. 

By shaping radiation beams and locating the treatment site with CT imaging during treatment, the TrueBeam system can achieve better accuracy in practically all treatments. With very high dose rate beams, the TrueBeam system may also reduce treatment times.

The TrueBeam at Mercy is configured to provide a variety of treatments specifically targeted to a patient’s needs. The TrueBeam radiotherapy system enables different technologies which are selectively applied by the radiation oncologist to provide the ideal treatment options for each patient. These technologies include:

• Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
• Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
• Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) 
• Three-dimensional conformal therapy (3DCRT)

The TrueBeam radiotherapy system was engineered to combine different technologies that offer several unique benefits to our patients.

• Increased accuracy – Mercy’s doctors can target tumors in increments of less than a millimeter which preserve healthy tissue and organs.
• Reduced amounts of radiation – Our doctors can minimize treatment volumes which eliminate unnecessary radiation exposure of healthy tissue.
• Reduced length of treatment – TrueBeam may allow for faster treatment of all patients and shorter periods of holding still during treatment, improving patient comfort and wellbeing.
• Enhanced efficiency – During stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) procedures, TrueBeam can deliver more powerful and more accurate doses of radiation in very short (1 to 5) treatment regimens where tumors are, in some instances, entirely eliminated, while not affecting surrounding tissues.

TrueBeam radiation therapy offers treatment options for patients who otherwise may not have been candidates for traditional radiation treatment and offers doctors more options for treating complex cancers.