Customizing Radiation Therapy
Sophisticated Technologies Enhance Precision and Patient Comfort
In radiation therapy, every millimeter matters. To deliver the most precise, tailor-made treatment for each individual, Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center employs various technologies that work in sync to help reduce radiation’s physical impact and ensure accurate delivery every time. In 2023, Shaw Cancer Center was recognized for its dedication to providing safe, patient-centered cancer care, receiving APEx accreditation from ASTRO, the largest radiation oncology society in the world.
Thanks to philanthropy, Shaw has acquired new 3D printing technology that integrates with the Six Degrees of Freedom Couch to offer highly customized, more accurate, and more comfortable radiation therapy than ever.
Personalizing Treatment With 3D Printing Technology
Radiation treatment at Shaw is explicitly optimized to an individual’s disease, anatomy, and directive. However, the tools used to help immobilize the patient and shape the radiation dose have historically been generic equipment modified to fit the patient to the best of a practitioner’s ability.
With 3D printing technology, radiation therapy treatment can now be customized to create patient-specific devices. For example, the printer can produce custom-fit surface bolus devices to ensure that the radiation dose conforms to intricate parts of the body, such as the scalp, breast tissue, and ears. The 3D printer also creates unique quality assurance tools for the linear accelerator, which delivers treatment with pinpoint accuracy and protects nearby healthy tissue.
Two Technologies Working in Harmony
The Six Degrees of Freedom Couch improves patient positioning, adding the ability to pitch, roll, and rotate the patient to account for even the slightest setup discrepancies. Previously, patients receiving radiation treatment could only be moved in four directions (up, down, or to the left or right). However, the improved technology speeds up the treatment process, reduces the need for repeat imagery, and allows patients to be more comfortable and safe.
Thanks to generous benefactor funding, Shaw has been able to introduce innovative technologies like the 3D printer and the Six Degrees of Freedom Couch. These tools, in combination with existing advanced equipment, play a crucial role in minimizing treatment margins and ensuring precise and confident radiation delivery. By addressing uncertainties at each stage of the treatment process, Shaw’s dedicated team can personalize patient care and strive for the best possible outcomes for every individual.
