BC Cancer Agency first in the world to treat patient using innovative technology

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, has developed a revolutionary technology that will enable cancer patients to receive faster and more precise radiation therapy. Gordon Wright, a 72 year old retired commercial fisherman diagnosed with prostate cancer this July, is the first patient in the world treated with this technology.

“I obviously wanted the best treatment possible,” says Wright, whose first treatment lasted just over a minute and a half, “and it’s comforting to know that I’m benefiting from the latest technology while contributing to research that can help many people in the future.”

The technology, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), allows a patient to receive radiation treatment with a single 360º rotation of the radiation beam around the body. VMAT involves an innovative method for manipulating the radiation beams that can be delivered from a standard linear accelerator (a machine used to give radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tumours) – a technique that has never been accomplished before.

With conventional radiation therapy, treatment cannot be delivered with a single rotation of the radiation beam – instead the linear accelerator’s gantry (the part from which radiation is emitted) is re-positioned throughout a treatment session to target the tumour from a number of specific directions.

“VMAT creates a precisely sculpted 3D dose distribution by tailoring the shape and intensity of the beam from a full 360º around the patient,” explains Dr. Karl Otto, BC Cancer Agency medical physicist who spearheaded this technology. “This provides more flexibility in maximizing the dose of radiation targeting the tumour, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.”

“With the ability to deliver radiation continuously for an entire treatment session, VMAT is two to eight times faster than comparable techniques,” adds Dr. Otto.

A typical VMAT treatment lasts less than two and a half minutes, not including treatment preparation time.

“This is certainly the next generation of radiation therapy delivery,” says Dr. Tom Keane, provincial radiation therapy program leader, BC Cancer Agency. “Besides the benefits to patients, what’s really exciting about VMAT is that it maximizes the capabilities of our current technology.”

“VMAT can be performed using existing Varian Medical Systems linear accelerators located at the BC Cancer Agency and other cancer organizations worldwide,” adds Dr. Keane. “Simply put, we do not need to buy new specialized equipment to deliver this advancement in radiation therapy.”

“Innovations in cancer treatment often require more expensive equipment, more support staff and/or longer treatment times. VMAT is remarkable in that we can provide the highest quality of care in less time and with existing equipment,” says Dr. Otto.

While VMAT is not available to the general patient population at this time, a number of patients will participate in a BC Cancer Agency pilot study to evaluate the technology.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

Contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6272

Pgr: 604.806.2338
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca