Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital

Introduction

Fully Functional Digital Linear Accelerator Versa HD

Radiation therapy is a treatment that employs high-energy radiation to eliminate cancer cells. A typical course of treatment lasts approximately five to eight weeks, requiring patients to visit the hospital for sessions from Monday to Friday. Previously, patients in the South Taoyuan area who required radiation therapy had to be transferred to hospitals equipped with the necessary facilities, which imposed a significant burden on both patients and their families due to the long distances involved. Our hospital’s Department of Radiation Oncology was established in July 2020, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to home and alleviating the strain of daily long-distance travel. This not only facilitates effective cancer treatment but also helps maintain a good quality of life for patients.

Our hospital’s radiation therapy center is located separately from the main hospital building, minimizing the risk of contact with other patients. We have integrated the latest advancements in radiation therapy technology, including the fully operational digital linear accelerator, Versa HD. This state-of-the-art equipment is capable of performing Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) technology. It features a multi-dimensional X-ray imaging guidance system that monitors the position of the tumor and surrounding organs in real-time during treatment using 4D imaging. This ensures precise radiation therapy by accurately targeting the tumor to effectively eliminate it.

The attending physician in our department has received training from the National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital and possesses many years of clinical experience. They provide patients with professional clinical judgment and the most appropriate and precise radiation therapy.

All colleagues in our department are committed to serving the local community in Longtan. We uphold the principles of compassion, quality, discipline, and innovation, ensuring the delivery of the highest standard of personalized medical care through comprehensive hardware and software services.

Understanding Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy utilizes ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams, to eradicate cancer cells. Its advantages include the capability to treat a wide range of areas, regardless of the anatomical location of the lesions. Furthermore, it can effectively target both deep-seated and superficial tumors without being impeded by the body’s structure or other conditions that may cause physical deformities. This treatment can preserve the functionality of healthy organs while eliminating cancer cells, making it a viable option for curing cancer or alleviating symptoms to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

Radiation therapy typically lasts between 15 and 20 minutes each day. As a localized treatment, most patients can receive outpatient care. However, if a patient is too weak, inpatient treatment can be arranged. Treatments are consistently scheduled from Monday to Friday, with weekends off. The number of radiation therapy sessions varies based on the type of cancer, averaging between 15 and 40 sessions, with treatment courses often lasting from three to eight weeks. New technologies are now available that allow for more precise targeting of lesions, enabling treatment courses to be completed within a week.

Stereotactic Radiation Surgery is a specialized form of radiation therapy that delivers a single high dose of radiation, condensing a typical treatment regimen of 25 to 30 sessions into just 1 to 5 sessions. Due to the high intensity of this single radiation dose, it can induce tumor ablation reactions. For this technique to be effective, the precision of the radiation therapy machine is essential. The fully functional digital linear accelerator, Versa HD, is equipped with a 6D stereotactic treatment table that accurately positions patients. Its machine head features 0.5 mm multi-leaf collimator leaves, which are thinner and move more rapidly than those found in traditional linear accelerators. In conjunction with Flattening Filter Free high-dose output technology, this system not only significantly reduces treatment time but also ensures a more precise dose distribution. When paired with breathing control technology and 4D dynamic imaging guidance, the treatment error rate can be maintained below 1 mm, making it highly suitable for stereotactic radiation surgery, often referred to as the “X-ray knife.” In contrast to other machines that utilize computer or gamma knives, which typically require 1 to 2 hours for a single treatment, our hospital’s X-ray knife can complete a session in just 20 to 30 minutes. This efficiency greatly reduces patient discomfort during treatment and is particularly advantageous for individuals who cannot remain still for extended periods.