A Patient’s Guide to TrueBeam LINAC: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Metro Hospital Noida

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Dec 6, 2022

Different treatment options are available for patients suffering from cancer. Radiosurgery is one of the recommended treatments available for cancer patients. For this, the TrueBeam LINAC system is way better and more accurate medical technology than the earlier radiation therapy technologies, like cobalt teletherapy. 

Before going to the TrueBeam FAQs, let us first have a brief look over the radiosurgery.

Radiosurgery is the latest technique used for treating cancer. In this technique, high-intensity radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. Doctors try to use radiation energy with great care to protect healthy cells from destruction. When high-intensity beams are applied to the cancer cells, they fail to regrow and ultimately die.

Now, let us get to the most frequently asked questions regarding this excellent tech in the medical field.

Also read:   What is a TrueBeam Linear Accelerator (LINAC)? All You Need to Know

Q. What is TrueBeam LINAC? 

TrueBeam LINAC (Linear accelerator) is an advanced technique of radiosurgery that offers quicker & smarter treatment with a speedy recovery. TrueBeam uses a beam of radiation synchronised with an imaging system that helps doctors to view the tumour easily. It is a non-invasive method and does not include an incision. 

TrueBeam treatment allows doctors to plan customised treatments for patients suffering from different types of cancers. This method can be used for treating cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, liver, etc.  

Q. What are the advantages of TrueBeam LINAC treatment?

• It is a fast and precise form of treatment and takes only a few minutes a day. (around 75% less time than usual radiation therapy machines).
• The main aim of the treatment is to strike the targeted cancerous cells only and administer the lowest dose to the healthy tissue and damage the cancerous cells only. 
• It can be used for treating nearly every size of the tumour and the recovery time of the patient is also very less.
• The LINAC system also controls the delivery of the beam of radiation during respiration so that the patient can breathe comfortably. 
• It is designed to take care of the convenience of the patient. Music is also played continuously during the therapy to ease the patient and provide maximum comfort. 
• Doctors can use fewer X-ray doses as compared to the other treatment methods, leading to minimal side effects, if any.

Q. How are radiations delivered using the TrueBeam system? 

A machine called a medical Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is used for generating radiation. The patient lies on the table, and the machine is rotated at different angles around the patient. The doctor who handles the machine from another part has continuous contact with the patient. 

Q. What are the side effects of TrueBeam radiation treatment?

Normally, TrueBeam LINAC radiation therapy does not have any major side effects. However, there may be some minimal ones. The side effects can include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Swelling at the site or of lymph nodes, or irritation or burning sensation in the skin. 

Q. What are the steps of TrueBeam LINAC radiation therapy? 

The steps involved in TrueBeam radiation therapy include the following:

• Planning of the Treatment: When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the doctor will generate 3-D images of the tumour and the area around it. The images are used by the radiation oncologist who works with your doctor to plan a customised treatment, including the specific dose & the schedule of the radiation therapy required. 
• Preparation of the Treatment: Special preparation is required for the patients who are about to be treated using this method. Sometimes, specially moulded devices are made to keep the patient in the same position during the treatment. The oncologist will mark the area on the patient’s body to align the machine to the specific area. 
• Treatment: The beam of radiation is delivered to a specific area based on the treatment plan. The total dose is divided into smaller parts which are delivered daily to the patient over a particular period. The radiation beam is delivered from different angles as the machine can rotate around a 360-degree angle. The system also helps to monitor the breathing pattern of the patient during the treatment. Each treatment session takes only a few minutes, thanks to the smarter and more advanced technology of the TrueBeam LINAC.

Also read:   How TrueBeam LINAC can Help Treat Breast Cancer Faster, Smarter & with Precision

Q. What is the duration of the TrueBeam treatment? 

The duration of the treatment depends on several factors. It mainly depends on the severity of the cancer and the affected part of the body. Small doses of radiation therapy are given daily over several weeks to the patient. However, the treatment duration is way less for TrueBeam LINAC systems when compared to its counterparts.

Q. How costly is TrueBeam radiation treatment? 

The cost of TrueBeam radiation treatment depends on the duration of the treatment. The longer the duration, the higher the cost. Many insurance companies cover the cost of TrueBeam radiation therapy, for which you can speak to your insurer to get complete information. For a rough estimate, TrueBeam radiotherapy costs around 4-5 lakhs in Indian cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Lucknow, etc.

Q. What kind of radiation does TrueBeam LINAC use?

The technologically advanced radiation therapy system, TrueBeam LINAC, uses the cone-beam CT, which contains 25% less X-ray for more precision and accuracy.

Q. What is the cost of Varian TrueBeam LINAC?

The cost of this machine may vary depending on the technology and features it has to offer. However, the range of its price is approximately USD 750k to USD 1.5 million. 

Q. Does TrueBeam Radiotherapy expose patients to Radioactive substances?

If you are worried about exposure to radioactive substances while in therapy, you should not be. This advanced system is like a flashlight that switches on the radioactive beam, points controlled radiation precisely to the tumour, and then switches off. The time of every session is less than 2 minutes, which makes it safer for the patients. 

Before going for the treatment, you must always discuss different treatment options with your doctor to know if TrueBeam is a suitable option for your case.