Bethesda Hospital East

RapidArc™
 

As its name indicates, Varian’s RapidArc radiotherapy treatment system is fast. Treatments that once took 15 minutes can be completed in less than two minutes.

This advanced technology unleashes the precision of the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) two to eight times faster than was previously possible. Linear accelerators equipped with RapidArc can deliver daily treatments in a single rotation. During that rotation, a precise treatment beam continually morphs to match the shape and volume of the tumor at every possible angle. This extreme accuracy spares more normal tissue, improves clinical outcomes and reduces unwanted side effects. 
 

Advantages of RapidArc:

• Treatment time is dramatically reduced. It is two to ten times faster than older forms of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
• Faster treatment means patients spend less time on the treatment table so they experience less discomfort and disruption.
• RapidArc delivers precise treatments to match the tumor size and location while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
• With treatment completed quickly in a single gantry rotation, peripheral tissues receive a lower overall dose of radiation compared to conventional IMRT.