A patient has received treatment using a Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator (MR Linac) machine for the first time in the United Kingdom. The treatment was facilitated by Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
The MR Linac is the first of its kind technology which simultaneously generates magnetic resonance images and delivers X-ray radiation beams. The technology allows delivery of more accurate and effective radiotherapy which can be adjusted in real time. The patient receiving the treatment is a part of the PRISM clinical trial. The ICR received a £10 million grant from the Medical Research Council and additional support from the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity for installation of the MR Linac.
Real-time targeting with radiation beams will be effective for tumours known to change position through breathing, bladder filling or bowel changes and could minimise side-effects for the patient. These include tumours in the prostate, lung, bladder and bowel.
"The MR Linac will make it possible to fully unlock the potential of radiotherapy by making it even more precise in targeting cancer and avoiding healthy tissue," said Professor Uwe Oelfke, leading the MR Linac project.
