New radiotherapy technology "gamechanging" for patients
It's being offered in Cambridge and Norfolk
New state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment is being described as "gamechanging" for patients in the East of England.
The technology, which is now in place at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), reduces treatment time while increasing accuracy and comfort.
Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) uses specialist cameras to create a unique 3D outline of the surface of a patient’s body.
Millions of pounds has been spent installing the technology on linear accelerators (linacs) at both hospitals.
Other teams across the UK will use Norwich as a reference site to learn more about SGRT.
Jo Thomas, Clinical Operational Manager at NNUH (Therapeutic Radiographer), said: "SGRT is a complete game changer for patients, and we are so excited to be able to use this new technology.
"Patients don’t need to be handled and moved by us as much, they’re in the treatment room for a shorter time, and it’s much nicer not to have a tattoo, because they’re not left with a visual reminder of a really difficult time, after their treatment has finished.
"The technology is cutting edge. If a patient coughs or sneezes and moves, more than a set tolerance, the beam will cut out and treatment will stop, so that the treatment is only delivered to the intended target.
"Previously we had to rely on watching patients from outside the treatment room."
Andrew Robinson, head of radiotherapy physics at CUH, said: "We’re excited there will now be two centres in the East offering this advanced technology to patients. The SGRT system intuitively provides our radiographers instant visual feedback when setting up patients before treatment.
"Our teams have worked hard over the summer to test and train on the system, and it is rewarding to see our patients benefitting from the increased accuracy and efficiency of SGRT."
Sixty-one-year-old Diane Pyle from Tacolneston in Norfolk was the first patient to have SGRT for breast cancer at NNUH.
She said: "Having experienced both methods of treatment, I am really pleased and honestly a little excited to have been the first person to have benefitted from the new SGRT.
"It’s less hands on, there’s no need for pen marks or permanent tattoos and it’s much quicker for me and the really wonderful staff delivering my radiotherapy."