OVERVIEW
At HCG, we believe technology and innovation play a critical role in revolutionizing cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes. Unique Performance Linear Accelerator, popularly known as RapidArc Linear Accelerator by Varian is one such technology that we use to deliver personalized radiation treatment for a broad spectrum of cancers.
This platform is known for its ability to precisely target tumors through the technique of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
Here, we are outlining the key information about RapidArc, including how it works, its advantages, things to expect during RapidArc radiation therapy, and the possible side effects associated with RapidArc radiotherapy treatment.
What is RapidArc?
RapidArc is a form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and it facilitates the delivery of radiation treatment for cancer with enhanced precision.
Its precision not only translates to more effective treatment but also reduced damage to the healthy tissues close to the tumor.
The RapidArc radiotherapy platform uses dynamic MLC, variable dose rare, and variable gantry speed to make IMRT-quality dose distribution possible in a single optimized arc around the patient.
With RapidArc, patients can receive the most effective radiotherapy treatment with fewer complications.
Types of RapidArc
The radiotherapy technique of RapidArc is broadly classified into three types based on the complexity of the treatment.
Single Arc RapidArc
Single arc RapidArc refers to the radiotherapy approach that involves a single rotating gantry arc to deliver the modulated radiation dose precisely. It is ideal for simpler cases.
Double Arc RapidArc
Double Arc RapidArc, as the name suggests, uses two rotating gantry arcs to deliver radiation treatment.
Double Arc radiation treatment is especially helpful in managing complex cases where the tumor is located near critical structures. This procedure allows for more flexible tumor targeting and reduced tissue damage.
Triple Arc RapidArc
Triple arc RapidArc is a less-frequently used radiotherapy approach due to the increased complexity and time duration associated with it.
This approach offers enhanced flexibility in terms of dose sculpting and allows for more precise tumor targeting, especially around complex anatomical structures.
Types of Cancer that Can be Treated with RapidArc
Before recommending radiotherapy with RapidArc as a treatment approach for patients, radiation oncologists consider numerous factors, such as the type of cancer, its stage, its exact location, tumor size and shape, the patient’s age, the overall health of the patient, and the patient's preference.
The following are the different types of cancer that can be treated with RapidArc:
Brain Tumor
Radiotherapy is often recommended for brain tumor treatment. This non-invasive approach helps in attacking the tumor cells and controlling their growth. Radiotherapy for brain tumors through RapidArc helps technologists accurately pinpoint the tumor site and deliver radiation, making effective disease management possible.
Head and Neck Cancer
RapidArc radiotherapy is beneficial in managing head and neck cancers as multiple critical structures are closely located. Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer through RapidArc precisely targets tumors in this region while reducing damage to nearby tissues.
Lung Cancer
During lung cancer radiation treatment, extra attention needs to be paid to the changes in tumor positioning that may happen due to breathing motion. RapidArc can adjust and re-target the tumor accordingly. Radiotherapy for lung cancer through RapidArc helps reduce the risk of radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is located close to critical organs, such as the bladder and rectum. By administering RapidArc radiation therapy for prostate cancer, it is possible to achieve accurate radiation treatment while reducing the risk of side effects such as urinary and gastrointestinal issues.
Gynecological Cancer
RapidArc can effectively treat different types of gynecological cancers. Gynecological tumors will often need intricate treatment approaches. RapidArc can deliver effective doses to gynecological tumors while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs nearby.
How Does RapidArc Work?
RapidArc is a linear accelerator by Varian, and it is designed to deliver a targeted dose of radiation to malignant tumors from multiple angles.
During RapidArc radiotherapy, the tumor is targeted through intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which involves the shaping of the radiation beams to conform closely to the 3-dimensional shape of the tumor inside the body.
Multileaf collimators (MLCs) are computer-controlled, beam-limiting devices that adjust the radiation beam’s shape and intensity as the linear accelerator rotates around the patient. This helps deliver higher doses to the tumor site while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues.
What are the Potential Advantages of Radiotherapy with RapidArc?
RapidArc radiation therapy benefits patients in numerous ways:
Enhanced Precision
The enhanced precision of RapidArc facilitates more effective treatment while bringing down the risk of radiation exposure to nearby tissues.
Faster Treatment Times
RapidArc radiation therapy can often be completed in less than two minutes. By reducing the treatment time, this platform provides enhanced comfort to patients.
Fewer Side Effects
With its superior tumor-targeting abilities, RapidArc helps reduce damage to healthy tissues and critical structures close to the tumor. This is critical to reducing side effects such as dry mouth, swallowing difficulties, GI issues, and urinary issues.
Enhanced Comfort
The shorter treatment duration translates to improved patient comfort, both during and after radiation treatment.
Improved Treatment Outcomes
By improving precision and reducing tissue damage, RapidArc supports better-quality treatment outcomes. This helps patients return to their normal lives rather quickly.
What are the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy with RapidArc?
Since this platform reduces damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor, patients experience fewer side effects. However, radiation treatment with RapidArc is associated with a few side effects, and they are specific to the organ that is being treated.
It is important to note that radiation oncologists and technologists ensure that the benefit of this treatment outweighs its disadvantages or side effects before recommending RapidArc treatment.
The following are the commonly observed side effects of radiation therapy with RapidArc:
Brain Tumor
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Vision changes
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Hair loss or thinning
Head and Neck Cancer
- Difficulties with swallowing and speaking
- Skin changes
- Taste changes
- Hampered thyroid functions
- Tiredness
- Hair loss
Lung Cancer
- Fatigue
- Skin changes
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain or discomfort
Prostate Cancer
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Problems with urination
- Fertility problems
- Sexual dysfunction
Gynecological Cancer
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Problems with urination
- Fertility problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Vaginal dryness
Why Should You Undergo RapidArc Radiotherapy at HCG?
HCG Cancer Centre is a leading cancer treatment hospital for radiation oncology in India. Through the adoption of modern technologies and state-of-the-art treatment approaches, our cancer specialists aim to deliver the highest quality radiation oncology services to our patients.
Our radiation oncologists have received extensive training in the planning and administration of radiation treatment with RapidArc.
At HCG, one of the best radiation oncology hospitals in India, starting from preparing the patient for their RapidArc radiotherapy to guiding them after their treatment, the expert team will be there to support the patient at every step of the way.
Conclusion
Radiation therapy with RapidArc presents cancer patients with numerous advantages. This radiotherapy platform facilitates intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for the cancers of the brain, head and neck, lung, and prostate, along with gynecological cancers.
Through precise radiation delivery, RapidArc improves the effectiveness of radiation oncology treatment while controlling tissue damage. Overall, RapidArc improves the quality of treatment results as it ensures the comfort and well-being of patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
The treatment with RapidArc takes about two minutes; however, the set-up and positioning may take some time. The entire process may take up to 20 minutes.
Although RapidArc reduces tissue damage and thereby minimizes side effects, patients may still experience certain side effects. In most cases, these side effects are temporary and go away a few weeks after the treatment.
The number of sessions or fractions that you need for your condition will be decided by your expert team based on your cancer type, its stage, and other individual case parameters.
This treatment is non-invasive, and hence, you should not experience any pain during your treatment. In some cases, however, there may be temporary discomfort, which wears off after the treatment. .
RapidArc is an advanced form of IMRT. During IMRT, the radiation beams of varying doses and intensities are delivered through multiple static treatment fields.
During RapidArc treatment, the radiation beams are delivered in one single rotation through a rotating gantry, which helps in reducing the treatment duration significantly.
RapidArc also helps patients have a better quality of life due to its ability to target tumors more accurately and reduce tissue damage.
RapidArc is a type of VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy), and it delivers radiation doses that are precisely sculpted to the 3D image of the tumor. RapidArc delivers radiation in a single 360-degree rotation.
VMAT is, in turn, a type of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, wherein radiation beams of varying doses and intensities are delivered as the machine moves around the patient.
RapidArc benefits patients in numerous ways, as compared to conventional radiation therapy. The radiation delivery with RapidArc is relatively faster than that with conventional radiotherapy.
Conventional therapy uses fixed beams from one or multiple angles. RapidArc, on the other hand, has more flexibility in terms of beam delivery. This makes the treatment with RapidArc relatively more precise than conventional treatment.
Due to its ability to deliver precise radiotherapy in a shorter duration, RapidArc also positively impacts patient comfort, which may not always be the case with conventional radiotherapy.
References
A study on conventional IMRT and RapidArc treatment planning techniques for head and neck cancers: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1507136712000247
