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Radiation Oncology & Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center

At Mediterraneo Hospital operates the most modern and organized Radiation Oncology and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center in the region. The Center applies radiotherapy and radiation surgery techniques, fully compliant with international protocols and scientific organizations supported by state-of-the-art systems (a combination of machines and special software).

The team consists of radiation oncologists with extensive experience and expertise who, in collaboration with highly experienced radiation physicians and radiotherapy technologists, address the most complex oncology cases. Prior to treatment, the oncology board discusses and decides on the best treatment for the affected area, in accordance with current international guidelines, which ensures that the final treatment is totally personalized and as such, the best option tailored to each individual patient.

It is equipped with the most modern, efficient and reliable FDA – approved machines. The equipment includes, inter alia, Varian’s leading linear accelerator EdgeTM, which has the highest dosage rate of focused radiation than any other conventional radiation therapy solution in the market, resulting in shorter treatment periods. It uses advanced motion management techniques that help detect tumor movement to protect patient’s surrounding healthy tissue and gives the ability to the treating doctors to treat tumors that are difficult to reach surgically.

The center’s facilities (waiting and treatment areas) do not deviate from the stylistic norms of the clinic. The decorative choices in these spaces also aim to create a relaxing, intimate and secure environment, fully adapted to the needs of our patients.

The Center’s treatment techniques are commonly used to treat cancers in:

  • Brain and Central Nervous System
  • Head and neck
  • Lung
  • Breast
  • Prostate
  • Gynecological findings
  • Pancreas
  • Bone
  • Skin
  • Anus – Rectum
  • Bladder
A new era in Radiotherapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery with Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) technology

What is Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT)?

Mediterraneo Hospital Radiation Oncology & Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center is the first Greece that applies the Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) technique.

It is a technique that is based on non-ionizing radiation to reproduce the patient’s 3D surface in real time and in comparison to a reference surface. The SGRT technique provides the comparison of thousands points of the 2 surfaces, leading to more accurate positioning of the patient contrasting with the conventional positioning technique of the 3 points markers/tattoos, with submillimeter accuracy1. Moreover, the monitoring of the patient’s movements during the treatment is provided.

Our 2 linear accelerators (TrueBeam Edge & Halcyon) are equipped with AlignRT Advance system by VisionRT company. The system consists of 3 cameras/projectors, mounted on the ceiling of the treatment room, and 2 workstations, one at the console treatment and one in the treatment room.

Additionally, since Halcyon is a ring-shaped linear accelerator, it also has 3 cameras/projectors mounted inside the linear accelerator.

How does the system work?

The projectors emit visible light on the patient, and the surface pattern is generated. Then the cameras track the 3D surface in real time and compare it to the reference one. The reference surface is acquired from the outline of the patient’s body from the Computed Tomography (CT) simulation of the treatment plan.

To increase the accuracy and efficiency of the process, instead of the entire surface of the patient, only a region of interest (ROI) is compared. An ROI is drawn on the reference surface where its shape and position depend on the irradiation area.

Therefore, for patient’s positioning, the appropriate movements of the treatment couch or the patient are provided from the treatment room Workstation, so that the 2 surfaces coincide in maximum degree. The system indicates the corrections needed with 6 degrees of freedom, both in the translational axes (vertical, longitudinal & lateral) and in the rotational angles (yaw, roll & pitch).

Benefits and treatment areas

The SGRT technique is applied to all treatment areas:

  • Brain
  • Head and Neck
  • Thorax
  • Abdomen
  • Pelvis
  • Extremities of the body

in combination with all modern radiation techniques:

  • 3DCRT
  • IMRT
  • VMAT
  • SRS/SRT
  • SBRT
  • Electrons

offering more accurate positioning, reducing the need of repeating imaging for the validation of patient’s positioning and decreasing treatment time2.

Finally, one of the main advantages of the system is the monitoring of the patient’s movements during the radiation treatment3. In addition, a feature to hold the radiation beam, either automatically or manually, is provided in case any parameter from the translational axes or the rotation angles is found out of limits, ensuring the safety and accuracy of the treatment.

  1. Stanley, D.N., et al. Comparison of initial patient setup accuracy between surface imaging and three point localization: A retrospective analysis. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics 18, 58-61 (2017).
  2. Mannerberg, A., et al. Faster and more accurate patient positioning with surface guided radiotherapy for ultra-hypofractionated prostate cancer patients. Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol 19, 41-45 (2021).
  3. Heinzerling, J.H., et al. Use of surface-guided radiation therapy in combination with IGRT for setup and intrafraction motion monitoring during stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments of the lung and abdomen. J Appl Clin Med Phys 21, 48-55 (2020).

“Me and my husband are so greatful for all the care. Thank you for all smiles and helping hands and good treatment”

Tina & Mats P.

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