Cutting-edge medical technology in advanced cancer therapy

MedTech News: When Lynne Norton received the devastating news her cancer had not only returned, but spread to her brain and bones, she faced the prospect of having only months to live.

Cutting-edge radiation therapy from Varian’s HyperArc technology reduced her treatment to less than a week, with few side-effects, and gave her hope of a brighter future.

Associate Professor Matthew Foote, a radiation oncologist at Greenslopes Private Hospital, was instrumental in bringing the technology to Australia. 

“HyperArc is helping us redefine how we manage people with advanced cancer. The reality is that if secondary tumours aren’t treated aggressively and quickly, the chances of being alive in six months are very low,” he said.

“It delivers a higher dose of radiation directly to the tumours with a relatively low impact on quality of life. We’ve continued to improve functionality of this technology, and we are now treating up to 18 brain lesions at a time, something unheard of 10 years ago. A significant proportion of patients with a diagnosis like Lynne are now living far beyond 12 months.”

The new technology can treat multiple brain tumours in minutes with one automated setup, while limiting radiation doses to surrounding healthy brain tissue.

“Cancer is becoming a chronic disease with more and more people living longer with advanced disease,” A/Prof Foote said. 

“Unfortunately recurrence of cancers in the brain continue to rise but with these cutting-edge developments in treatment we are able to help people with secondary cancers who would otherwise have very few options.”