The Role of MR Linac in Prostate Cancer
MR Linac is a state-of-the-art way of treating prostate cancer, superseding other conventional approaches such as X-rays and CT imaging. The use of MR Linac involves high-quality MR imaging of the prostate in order to focus on the cancerous area, hence avoiding healthy tissues surrounding the prostate. Despite limitations due to changing prostate shape, rectum and bladder shape, and image clarity, many men who have localized disease experience minimal adverse effects after undergoing treatment. This blog discusses the potential and evidence for MRI-guided radiotherapy, primarily MR Linac focused on prostate cancer, and its advantages and disadvantages.
What is MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer?
Recent developments in radiation therapy equipment have made it more accurate, leading to improved cure rates and fewer side effects. There is hope for cancer victims in the future due to newly developed hybrid imaging and treatment devices that use both MRI machines and linear accelerators. They allow daily individualized planning, increasing dosages to obstinate tumors while simultaneously protecting neighboring normal tissues from radiation damage. It evaluates the potential to improve patient outcomes and suggests horizon scanning for research and development in the next decade. The technology’s role in treating most types of cancer is still in its infancy.
MRI-guided radiation therapy (MRIgRT) provides real-time images of the prostate and its surrounding tissues, thus allowing for less radiation exposure and incorporating live alterations in the target’s contour and size. Research demonstrates that through ultrahypofractionation, safe dose escalation can be achieved, as well as through treatment gating. In order to optimize ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy options for people with prostate cancer, various clinical studies are being carried out.
In MRgRT systems, the gold standard, MR scans are used in clinical settings to view the prostate. The Viewray MRIdian and Elekta Unity MR Linacs are commercially available now. These systems offer exceptional accuracy and confidence in directing beams and assessing the target and organs at risk. Elekta unity MR Linac with 1.5T MR provides a clearer view of the prostate edge with dominant cancerous nodules and seminal vesicles.
What is MR Linac, and What is the Role of MR Linac in Prostate Cancer?
The MR Linac is medical equipment that merges a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device designed for radiation therapy. Tumor tissue also shifts on a daily basis along with nearby normal tissues. This device is capable of offering treatment via real-time tumor tracking and quality imaging, which helps to increase doses to target even when it is moving. MR linacs deliver radiation therapy with outstanding accuracy to keep up with rapid movements like those of the lungs or abdomen. Therefore, such an element may contribute to safer and probably more effective results than other traditional approaches do, especially when it comes to adapting to changing conditions in outspoken terms compared to surgery or chemotherapeutics alone. Consequently, it improves treatment precision and patient safety through advanced technological developments in this field.
Apart from prostate cancer, MR Linac is a game changer in treating several cancers, such as head and neck cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, liver, lung, gynecologic cancer, and oesophageal cancer.
MR-guided radiation therapy (MR Linac) is one of the latest treatment strategies for prostate cancer and offers continuous, high-resolution images of the prostate and the adjacent tissues. This technique enables precise targeting of tumors and, thereby, helps to spare surrounding
healthy tissues. The treatment plan can be adjusted according to any changes in prostate or tumor sizes; additionally,
MR Linac provides more accuracy by decreasing the risks associated with injuring vital structures such as the rectum and bladder. Furthermore, shorter than traditional courses may also be possible without compromising on outcomes, with published studies indicating that MR Linac can improve patient well-being by reducing side effects and reducing the number of therapy sessions.
MR Linac in India
India is a leading country in adopting advanced cancer treatment technologies, with MR Linac being a key innovation. Despite its small number of hospitals, the technology is rapidly growing, and its widespread availability is expected.
Yashoda Hospitals is the first of its kind in India, offering advanced imaging and radiation therapy powered with artificial intelligence to medical professionals, enabling personalized and precise treatments for enhanced patient care
Experience the precision of MR Linac therapy!
MRI Linac: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of MR Linac:
- Produces superior image quality, soft tissue contrast, and precise radiation dose delivery.
- Gives high cure rates and low toxicity.
- Improves precision at other tumor sites.
- Integrate online adaptive radiotherapy (ART) to account for complex geometric changes.
- Modifies treatment based on changes in anatomy on treatment day.
- Relevant in hypofractionated treatments and produces real-time imaging during treatment.
Disadvantages of MR Linac:
- Susceptible to external factors.
- Metal implant patients may be unsuitable due to distortions.
- Don’t allow non-coplanar beans or electron beams.
- A fixed bore size limits the treatment time range and positions.
- Not possible to treat obese patients
- Treatment times are longer than with standard linacs.
- Rapid cost adoption; limited machines.
Why Choose MR Linac for Prostate Cancer Treatment?
MR Linac technology reduces radiation exposure by minimizing the target volume margin, reducing potential side effects, and improving patient quality of life. MR Linac’s improved visualization of soft tissue structures allows for better preservation of erectile function, sparing critical structures like the neurovascular bundle and internal pudendal artery. Its adaptive capabilities enable accurate dose escalation to prostate and intraprostatic tumor lesions, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes.
Yashoda Hospitals, the Best Hospital for Prostate Cancer Treatment in India, offers this transformative approach to radiotherapy, combining real-time imaging and adaptive treatment to improve clinical outcomes.
Have questions about MR Linac treatment?
MR Linac vs Proton Therapy
Both MR Linac and proton therapy are two of the most advanced types of radiation therapies in the fight against cancer. Although they aspire to a similar aim—targeting tumors with precision while preserving adjacent healthy tissues—the technologies and benefits involved differ significantly.
MR Linac combines an MRI scanner with a linear accelerator, offering real-time tumor visualization, adaptive radiation therapy, improved accuracy, and being suitable for various cancer types, particularly those that move or change shape. It allows for adjustments to treatment plans based on changes in tumor size or position, reducing damage to healthy tissues. This kind of real-time adaptive therapy with advanced MR imaging is not yet possible with proton therapy.
Proton therapy is a newer type of radiation therapy that uses energy from positively charged particles (protons) to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. It has shown promise in treating various types of cancer and may cause fewer side effects than traditional radiation due to better control over where proton beams deliver energy.
Conclusion
MR Linac is an innovative method of prostate cancer treatment that has enabled radiation oncologists to see the tumors in real time, modify their plans, and avoid damaging adjacent critical normal tissues. Future developments may yield even more advantages. Almost all cancers that are treated with radiation might cause some possible minimal side effects. MR Linac provides an effective means for combating the disease. With this information, patients will be able to choose the best way to treat themselves together with their doctors so as to get high-quality healthcare services.
MR Linac at Yashoda Hospital is India’s first-of-its-kind, integrating advanced imaging and radiation therapy with the help of artificial intelligence for personalized, precise treatments and transforming healthcare across multiple specialties.
Have any questions or concerns about your health? We’re here to help! Call us at +919513262681 for expert advice and support.
Dr. M. Suneetha
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